Mike Hilton was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest underdog story last season. But 2018 is already proving to that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Mike Hilton has come a long way from the practice squad. A player with little potential found the smallest glimpse of hope and ran. His opportunity turned into a sturdy role on the defense, and this season, he’s proving to be even more important than expected.
Pittsburgh had their man for the ultimate defensive weapon. Senquez Golson had all the potential in the world, and in a second-round pick, the Steelers believed they had their puzzle piece that would bring this defense back to the top.
A do-it-all type of player was what Pittsburgh was hoping for. But after two missed seasons and the rise in their secondary, Golson’s place on the team was no longer needed.
Then came Hilton. A undersized slot corner who somehow proved himself enough to end up on the 53-man roster. From there, he became a starter. And from there, he’s become one of the most important pieces on this defense.
During training camp, Hilton has played in the slot, rushed from the edge and started to drop back to deep safety. In the Steelers’ new “dollar” package, Hilton is and option as a last resort, showing the confidence Keith Butler has in his defensive back.
His role this season is going to be significant. Many have high hopes for Cameron Sutton in the slot, but it’ll be a role behind Hilton for the time being. With his play exceeding last year’s, there’s no reason not to let him grow as a player on this defense.
It’s going to be exciting to watch Hilton during the season. His 64 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions are going to be tough to beat, but watching him in camp, his potential suggests he’s no where near his ceiling.