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Grading Pittsburgh Steelers free agency moves so far in 2020

By Tommy Jaggi

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after catching a touchdown in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after catching a touchdown in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Mike Hilton #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after recovering a fumble during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Mike Hilton #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after recovering a fumble during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Tendering Mike Hilton: A

While tendering Mike Hilton may not have been quite as important as keeping Feiler around, the nickel cornerback is has been a pleasant free agent find for the Steelers.

Hilton was a former undrafted player in 2016. After spending some time on Jacksonville’s practice squad, the Steelers signed Hilton and immediately made him their starting nickel back. Hilton has been one of the best bargains on the team over the past three seasons, and that trend will continue during his fourth year in Pittsburgh.

Hilton was given a second-round tender – paying him just $3.259 million in 2020. While slot cornerbacks aren’t as highly coveted on the free-agent market, Hilton’s tender still comes at a discount price for a player who took the field for 62 percent of defensive snaps in 2019.

Hilton is a fiery competitor and one of the NFL’s best blitzers from the cornerback position. Though it’s possible he doesn’t receive a second contract with the team, it was the right move keeping him around in a closing Super Bowl window.

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