The Pittsburgh Steelers already have the answer they’re searching for in the Supplemental Draft
There are three names most of the NFL has their eye on in the 2018 Supplemental Draft. But the Pittsburgh Steelers have no business adding more depth to their defensive backfield.
Almost all 32 NFL teams have done their research on Adonis Alexander, Sam Beal and Brandon Bryant. The three defensive backs headline the Supplemental Draft on July 11. But despite the popularity, and possible talent, these secondary additions would bring, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not need to toss their name in the hat, trying to add more to what they already have.
All another cornerback would do at this point is be a security blanket. They’d sit behind Artie Burns and Joe Haden on the outside, being utilized for relief purposes.
It’s an upgrade of Coty Sensabaugh and William Gay. Anything is. Last season, there was a major gap in the defense whenever one of the two were on the field. As backups, yes, they have careers in the NFL. Well, Sensabaugh at least. But, not in Pittsburgh.
This starting defense is too far ahead of their depth chart counterparts. You can’t be in the middle of a drive and replace a corner, expecting the offense not to be able to take advantage of the swap.
2018 the objective is to eliminate this issue. They now have two slot corners in Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton that are talented enough to shut down underneath routes. Wide receivers, running backs or tight ends will have a much more difficult time trying to find open lanes against this defense.
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What they don’t have an answer for is relief. Burns and Haden cannot play an entire 16 game season from start to finish. There are going to be stretches of games when they’ll need to rest for defensive series.
That’s where Pittsburgh is searching for answers. Many believe they’ll toss their hat in the ring during the Supplemental Draft to grab one of these three defensive backs, solving this issue. Any of the three would be a perfect fit to come off the bench as added depth behind their two starters.
They already have that answer, though. Brian Allen didn’t have much of a rookie season, but his growth over throughout the year was noteworthy. He was kept off the practice squad last year, despite not playing a snap. A clear sign they have faith in his potential as a corner.
At 6’3, 215 lbs with a 4.48 forty, Brian contains all the physical attributes of an NFL corner. What he lacks is experience and with that fundamentals. Only playing two years of defense at Utah gave him enough time to prove he has an upside, but not enough time to develop into a star.
A year in the pros provided enough training to make him worthy of some role on this defense. Certainly not a starter, but easily a contender to be the backup behind Burns and Haden.
He has all the coverage skills when the ball is in the air. A former wide receiver, Allen can go up with the best of them and come down with the ball in his hands. But before the quarterback puts the ball between Allen and the receiver, is where the second-year corner struggles.
He doesn’t have the instincts of a corner, just yet. At least not from what we saw last season. Well, before last season.
The inability to stay with defenders every play makes him a liability. But that’s fixable. He struggled in looking at the ball more than the receiver. When he realizes the ball is coming his way, he has a tendency to play the ball instead of his man. This leaves him a step behind once the ball actually reaches his man.
This is fixable, and may have already been fixed. If Allen can become more of a corner than a wide receiver, he has a tremendous upside. One the Steelers want to take advantage of.
Meaning they shouldn’t be looking to add more players to the mix, and crowd a secondary they’re trying to sculpt. They have the pieces, and need to follow through with them. That may mean a bump in the road, but overall, it’ll lead to better long-term success from their core players.
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Allen deserves a role in 2018. The Steelers know what they’re looking for in the draft, but they don’t need to give up a pick in order to get it. Instead, use what you have, and let the Utah star make a name for himself in the NFL.