Steelers: What might the secondary look like?

The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed the abysmal secondary by drafting a cornerback in the 1st round and another defensive back in the 2nd round in the NFL Draft.

Finally. For the first time since 1997, the Steelers drafted a cornerback in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, and backed it up by drafting a safety in the 2nd round. Pittsburgh finally addressed the secondary.

After the acquisition of Tight End Ladarius Green in free agency, as well as Offensive Tackle, Ryan Harris, Pittsburgh was set up for a completely defense focused draft, and that’s what happened.

The Steelers secondary, specifically, has been an area of trouble in the past couple of years. Last season, Pittsburgh ranked 30th in passing yards allowed, and saw opposing teams trample over them week in and week out.

Many fans were devastated when the rival Bengals picked up William Jackson III, a cornerback prospect that many hoped would fall to the 25th pick, and almost did. Once he was gone, a lot of people turned to the idea of addressing the defensive tackle position with a guy like Andrew Billings.

Almost immediately after Jackson came off the board with the 24th pick, the Steelers sent in their pick at 25. No hesitation, no panic, they knew their man from the get go, and they got him. Artie Burns joined the ranks of a Pittsburgh secondary in shambles.

Mixed feelings arose across Steelers nation. Many looked at their TV, myself included, and thought that it was a reach, but maybe not so much. Billings, the prospect many wanted Pittsburgh to take, fell all the way to the 4th round. Burns was the next best cornerback prospect, and filled a position of serious need.

In the next round, Pittsburgh selected Sean Davis, a hard hitting safety/cornerback from Maryland.

People expected Pittsburgh to go for the slam dunk picks, the guys who can come in and get the job done right out of the gate, but that wasn’t the case. For Pittsburgh, it was all about upside, a high ceiling rather than a high floor, but that doesn’t mean these guys can’t come in and contribute right away.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin hinted in a press conference that it’s very realistic to believe that three draft picks could find themselves in starting roles this season if they earn it. Before this year, it was ridiculous to imagine a defensive starter in Pittsburgh, but it might be necessary.

William Gay will be the starting cornerback. Mike Mitchell will start in a safety position. The rest is completely up in the air.

Sean Davis will likely head back to safety after not so stellar year playing cornerback with the Terapins, and contend with Robert Golden and Shamarko Thomas for the starting role opposite of Mike Mitchell.

Artie Burns could be as high as the 2nd cornerback on the depth chart to as low as maybe the 5th. He’ll be competing with Ross Cockrell and last year’s 2nd round pick in Senquez Golson. He might not win the role opposite of Gay just yet, but expect to still see plenty of him on the field.

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Overall, the Steelers drafted players that might not become instant superstars, but with good coaching, the potential is endless, and offers an exciting future for a defense that has been hard to watch in recent years. The Steelers may have not made booming picks, but filled their needs, and upgraded the weakest part of their team, which is all anyone can ask for, and what fans have been asking for months.

Still, expect to see a couple of the draftees earn starting roles, and others to receive time on the field this upcoming season as the Steelers begin their quest for a 7th Super Bowl title.