Still Curtain
FanSided

Steelers: 5 players who must improve

By Brandon Kring

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs to avoid a tackle attempt by Mike Hilton #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs to avoid a tackle attempt by Mike Hilton #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Mike Hilton

Hilton was once an unknown player trying to make his mark in a training camp. In 2017, he burst on the scene, establishing himself as one of the better slot corners in the league.

His 2017 season saw him record two interceptions, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks as a nickel corner. He recorded a total of 54 tackles and added in six pass breakups to boot.

This put him on the map with the team and the league, but his 2018 was not as impressive. While he still was a great run stopping and tackling corner, his coverage dipped a lot from the previous year.

His play declined some due to an elbow injury that clearly hindered him during games. He played in 15 games but was eventually benched down the stretch in favor of Cameron Sutton.

Fast forward to 2019 and he, like many members of the team, is struggling out of the gates. His coverage has dipped again, and that does not bode well for him in contract talks.

Before the season, I wrote about whether the team should have paid him or not. As of now, it looks as though they were correct for not offering him a big money deal.

Hilton is still one of the best blitzing and run stopping corners in the league. However, when it comes to playing corner, the number one job is covering receivers, and this is something he will need to improve mightily over the next 13 games.

Home/Steelers News