Should Steelers CB Justin Layne get a chance to play on defense?

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Justin Layne in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Should the athletic cornerback be given a chance to play on defense?

Entering the 2019 NFL Draft, there were many NFL analysts who believed that Michigan State cornerback, Justin Layne, would be a late first or early second-round draft choice. To the surprise of many, Layne slipped all the way down to the Steelers with the second of their two third-round selections.

Layne had some very intriguing traits coming out of college. In addition to being nearly 6’2” with an 80 1/8” wingspan, Layne also tested as a remarkable athlete – earning impressive numbers in his agility drills and boasting an outrageous 134” broad jump (97th percentile). Layne did all of this as he turned just 21 years old before the pre-draft process.

Though we knew he would have a learning curve in the NFL, I’m shocked to see that the second-year cornerback has not earned a single defensive snap yet in the NFL.

Should the Steelers give Layne a shot on defense?

I think it’s great that Layne has had a full year to develop his craft behind some veteran cornerbacks on the team. Obviously, I’m happy that Steven Nelson and Joe Haden have been healthy enough to stay on the field for nearly every snap over the past two years (knock on wood). However, I would also like Layne to be able to get his feet wet, and the Steelers need to know what they have in him.

So far in 2020, Haden has had a solid season, but Nelson has been beaten early on – surrendering over 14 yards per reception to go with 3 touchdowns allowed in his first three games this year. I’m not advocating that he be replaced already with Layne, by any means. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing the young corner earn a few looks on defense soon.

With a lofty cap hit of over $15.5 million in 2021, according to Over the Cap, Haden could end up being a cap casualty by the Steelers next offseason. the veteran cornerback will turn 32 years old in April, and Pittsburgh may not want to fork up that much money to a player who could very well be in decline.

It would be nice if the Steelers knew what they were getting out of Layne before potentially throwing another day-two draft choice at a cornerback next offseason.

Perhaps Mike Tomlin doesn’t think Layne is ready to play on defense quite yet, but the young cornerback has been a solid special teamer so far and he is coming out of the bye week in his second NFL season. Perhaps he’s earned a few snaps on defense to see what he can do.