5 former Steelers the team needs to reunite with in 2021

Ross Cockrell

While it is currently being overlooked as a need right now, the Steelers will have to invest something significant in the position due to the potential loss of players they could suffer here in 2021. For starters, Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton are set to be free agents, and the team will be lucky to resign one of them due to cap constraints. As well, veteran Joe Haden began to show some of his age this past year, and given his age, he could be cut in order to save some cap space.

Behind the starters are inexperienced options like Justin Layne and James Pierre. While it would be risky to have them start on the outside, it would still leave a huge hole at slot cornerback. That’s why bringing back veteran journeyman Ross Cockrell could be a solid move this offseason. While he was never a great option while with the Steelers and he has only been ok since leaving the team, he would be in a better spot with the team this time as opposed to before.

When the team claimed him off waivers, he was forced into considerable playing time early. As well, the team was playing a lot more of a lax zone scheme as opposed to the more aggressive man scheme they are currently using. Finally, he has the size and ability to play in the slot as well as on the outside. While the team would still want to try and find a better player than him, adding him for the minimum would make sense. He could be penciled in for the slot if they don’t have anyone better, and worse comes to worst he could be the top backup like Sutton was this past season.