Ranking the Steelers 6 best solutions at slot cornerback

The Steelers put Pierre on the outside, move Sutton to the slot

Of every option listed here, this is the one that makes the most sense as of now. While projecting a player like Brown to start as a rookie is hopeful, he will have to be dominant during the preseason in order to be considered. A free agent could be an easy fix, but the team usually shies away from impact-free agents this late in the offseason. Looking at the roster as it stands, this is the safest bet as to how the Steelers will handle the slot cornerback role this offseason.

Pierre himself has been a bit of a marvel for the team. He was a lowly touted undrafted free agent rookie last offseason that played so well in camp that, without a preseason, he made the active roster outright. He gritted it out on special teams, but he eventually jumped Layne and saw some defense snaps towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. The next natural step for him is to play more on the outside. There is risk there, as his game film is limited, but he has a lot of potential based on last season’s play.

As for Sutton, he still gets to play both on the outside and inside for the 2021 season. Pierre wouldn’t start over him on the outside in base defense, but Sutton has the versatility to move to the slot when needed. This would allow Pierre to take on the other outside cornerback spot in what would be essentially a starting role. Unless the Steelers make a significant addition elsewhere or Brown proves to be too good to keep off the field, expect this to be the defensive plan heading into the season.

The loss of Hilton was a tough one to get over, but the Steelers have options still. Their in-house options and the players currently in free agency could provide the team an answer for who will play in the slot in 2021. These six options seem like the most likely solutions that the Steelers could have for their slot cornerback in 2021.