Pittsburgh Steelers training camp: Most exciting position to watch may be corner
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into training camp with one of the biggest questions in the NFL – how to play without Le’Veon Bell. But their most exciting position to watch isn’t running back.
Artie Burns, Joe Haden, Mike Hilton, Coty Sensabaugh, Cameron Sutton, Brian Allen. The list of corners in Pittsburgh, right now, may be better than it has in 20 years. For a team known for some of the most dominating defenses in NFL history, it’s been a long time since their secondary featured a set of corners that could play amongst the best receivers in the league.
People still lack faith in this group, though. Starting with Artie Burns. The third-year corner had some what of a sophomore slump in 2017, only securing one interception. Time and time again, Burns was caught behind the receiver in deep routes, and many are concerned his deep ball coverage isn’t up to par with the NFL.
Then, there’s the return of Joe Haden. It’s been a few years since the Pro Bowl corner has played an entire season. Last year, he left in Week 10 with a fractured fibula, but returned in time to compete with the team in the playoffs.
It isn’t the injury that makes Haden worth watching, it’s the timing. This is the first offseason in years that the corner hasn’t had to rehab some part of his body. With a full six months of training under his belt, and possibly his most talented secondary to work with, the 29-year-old is looking at a very promising season.
Next, is Cameron Sutton and Mike Hilton – the second-most exciting duo in Pittsburgh.
These two now man the slot corner position. After the release of William Gay and what will likely be Coty Sensabaugh, Pittsburgh has two inside corners they’ll bank on in 2018.
The hype for Sutton is real. A Tennessee product who missed most of his rookie year with injury, is expected to be one of the brightest young corners in the AFC. Without taking on a ton of responsibility in his first year on the field, Sutton will be the under-study of Hilton, but will play just as significant of a role.
Hilton is out to prove himself once again. He’s still playing on a one-year deal, meaning the future is as unknown as it gets for the former practice squad corner. Last year, he earned his place on this roster, but with a group of corners this talented, he isn’t cemented into anything just yet.
His first season on the field was solid, landing 54 tackles and two interceptions. That needs to remain the same if he hopes to continue being a part of this defense. With a better group around him, he’ll be targeted by quarterbacks more than any other corner in Pittsburgh. Leaving him with plenty of opportunities to show his stripes in year two.
Finally, there’s Brian Allen. The Pittsburgh Steelers thought long and hard about using a Supplemental Draft pick on a cornerback. Sam Beal, Brandon Bryant and Adonis Alexander would’ve been great additions to the secondary, with little to no cost for the pick.
Instead, they’ll give Allen his first shot at being on the field. A 6’3 corner with 4.4 speed and receiver-like hands, Allen fits all the physical traits you look for in a defensive backfield member.
His instincts still aren’t there, though. Or at least weren’t in his rookie year. But with a season of learning from NFL coaches and players under his belt, he could take the leap and become the team’s primary backup on the outside.
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It’s all hit or miss for this group of players. Making them more exciting than anyone expected them to be. For the defense, it really comes down to the secondary, starting with the corners. Sean Davis and Morgan Burnett could go either way, but if the cornerbacks are meeting their standards, this group of players is set to have a dominant season.
So, if you’re going to pay attention to anyone during training camp, you might as well make it the cornerbacks.