Steelers should re-sign Boykin

With the departure of Antwon Blake, it makes complete sense for the Steelers to re-sign Brandon Boykin

The 2016 free-agency period has been interesting so far, hasn’t it? We’ve seen our beloved Steelers sign new guys that no one was really expecting, and let guys go that we thought would be back. One of those guys was Antwon Blake.

There’s been a love-hate relationship between Steelers Nation and Antwon Blake, but mostly hate. According to Pro Football Focus (with credit to Steelers Depot), Antwon Blake broke the PFF records for yards allowed in coverage with 1,074 and 28 missed tackles. But Blake wasn’t all bad. He finished the 2015 season with one sack, two interceptions and one TD. Yeah, I’m trying to be nice.

Anyways.

Probably, oh I’d said, about 100% of us were wondering why our beloved coaching staff continued to play Blake over Brandon Boykin. I mean, we have a pretty well established corner just sitting there. “Why aren’t the Steelers playing Boykin?” That question of the past leads me to my next point.

Brandon Boykin is still an UFA. To my knowledge, he hasn’t even taken a visit to another team. Besides speculation, I haven’t heard seen his name. Anywhere. Now, I’m not sure why this is, maybe Boykin is just enjoying being a free-agent, or maybe he’s waiting on something else.

If Boykin is still a free-agent in a week or two, should the Steelers bring him back? I’m not talking about a 5 year/$60 million deal, or some crap. I’m talking about a one to two year, maybe three year deal.

Now, here’s why I’m suggesting this: Besides Ross Cockrell and William Gay, we don’t know what we have in our other corners. Cortez Allen could be cut by the end of training camp, Senquez Golson hasn’t played a down in the NFL, and Doran Grant has only played one defensive snap. I’m sure the Steelers have a plan to add some bodies through the draft, but getting rookies acclimated to the NFL can take time. Boykin has spent an entire season in Pittsburgh, he knows the defense (or so we think), he’s a familiar face, and a familiar voice in the secondary. Consistency is key.

I just think it’s very strange that Boykin is still out there. Especially, since so many teams seem to go after top-tier FA corners. And yes, I thought Boykin was one of the top tier corners on the FA market. 

I’d also like to see Boykin back to see how he’d do with more snaps, consistent snaps. I feel like (us in) Steelers Nation were short changed with Boykin. I don’t think we were able to see his full potential. Let’s hope we can see him again in Black & Gold.