Cameron Sutton is one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest offseason upgrades
Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were still getting over a developing secondary. But 2018 looks to be the first year this defensive backfield is ready to dominate.
Artie Burns and Joe Haden will continue to man the outside, and after a year together, should be two of the top corner duos in the AFC. Sean Davis is moving to free safety, a much more fitting position for a player who can hit as hard as any defensive back in the league.
Morgan Burnett brings a superstar element this secondary has needed for years. His addition is the most significant of the offseason. With J.J. Wilcox behind him and what will likely be a rookie safety to compliment him and Davis, the position is loaded now more than it has been in years.
But the biggest upgrade Pittsburgh’s defense will have this season is the second nickel corner. Mike Hilton is going to earn himself a starting job once again. He showed up last year and became a household name in the Steel City. He deserves the right to lose his job, and it isn’t likely he loses it.
Behind him, though, is Cameron Sutton. The second-year player didn’t have much time to develop last season after missing most of the year with injuries. Sitting behind Hilton and Gay, no one had high expectations for the rookie, but after an offseason full of improvement, this team is ready to upgrade the depth chart.
Sutton isn’t going to step into a starting role, and yes, Burnett is an upgrade on a larger spectrum. But the Steelers are moving from an aging William Gay to a young and exciting Sutton. Something that will make this defense lethal on every possession.
Instead of worrying about a hole in the defense when Gay was in coverage, this team will have a quick and versatile Sutton covering slot receivers. Gay’s speed went with age and it showed when he faced players with expanded routes. Yes, his hits were some of the best in Pittsburgh in 2017, but outside of that, he was a liability on most plays.
Sutton may not have jaw-dropping contact with wideouts, but he’ll certainly protect his zone better. Now, guys like Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt can be sent off the edge more instead of dropping into coverage. With Hilton and Sutton covering short routes to the outside, this defense will have more time and weapons hunting for the quarterback.
It’s a change that effects the entire defense. It allows the edge rushers to focus more on pressuring the passer. It also allows Burns and Haden to focus more on deeper routes, something that Burns should improve on when being allowed to drop further back.
It also rounds out the defense as a whole. With Sutton in the lineup this team always has options. There shouldn’t be a play when the secondary isn’t capable of making plays. When you add two talented rushers off the edge and less time to throw the ball, it’ll lead to more turnovers for the defense.
Sutton improves the position and the defense. William Gay is going to be remembered as a Steeler for the rest of his life. But age catches up to everyone. Now, the team turns to a younger corner, and with that, comes more skill. Something that’s going to impact the entire defense.