Ranking the Steelers 6 best solutions at slot cornerback

Steelers sign Conley, let Sutton play slot

To be clear, I name-drop Gareon Conley as the free-agent outside cornerback to be signed to play the outside. To be frank, there aren’t a lot of names that make sense currently on the market to play the outside. Richard Sherman is better in a zone scheme, is pretty old, and would likely cost a good bit. Steven Nelson is the best option, but considering the Steelers cut him, I doubt a reunion is in order. That leaves Conley, to me, as the best outside corner option. If you have any harsh objections to him, fill it in with a different free agent outside cornerback.

Signing a player like Conley (or just an outside corner in general) means that Cameron Sutton will take on a more unique role for the defense. When only two corners are needed (base defense) Sutton and Joe Haden will man the starting spots. When a slot cornerback is needed (nickel and dime defense) Sutton would kick inside and allow Conley to take on the outside spot.

The reason this option is so low on the ranking is due to the Steelers’ surplus of outside capable cornerbacks. Adding a veteran outside cornerback doesn’t make a lot of sense when you consider who else is on the roster. As well, they would be behind a player like James Pierre and even Justin Layne at this point in the offseason. A good camp would change that, but with a surplus of outside cornerbacks already on the roster, expect the Steelers to go in a different direction.