Steelers should try to pursue CB Jimmy Moreland on the waiver wire

NFL cutdowns have made some talented players available to other teams. Here’s why the Pittsburgh Steelers should pursue cornerback Jimmy Moreland.

Cutdown day is one of the most interesting of the summer for football fans. After NFL teams were allowed to initially hold 90 players on their roster to begin training camp, all rosters were forced to cut down to just 53 by 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time on August 31st.

It didn’t take long for a few really solid players to hit the market. One of them that raised eyebrows was Washington Football Team cornerback, Jimmy Moreland. Moreland was just two years into his NFL career and has been one of the more impressive nickel cornerbacks in the league thanks to his physicality at the position.

It just so happens that the Pittsburgh Steelers could really use an upgrade in this department. While Cameron Sutton is a quality option to kick inside on obvious passing downs, he doesn’t possess the same demeanor that Mike Hilton had for this team.

Pittsburgh could really use a true starting-caliber nickel cornerback that would allow Sutton to play on the outside as well as be the dime backer this year. Moreland certainly fits the bill.

Moreland is entering just his 3rd NFL season, but he already knows what it’s like to be a part of a great NFL defense in Washington. Like the Steelers, The Football Team excelled at getting quick pressure on the quarterback – allowing Moreland to break on the football and crash downhill.

According to Pro Football Focus, Moreland earned a very impressive 72.4 run defense grade last season – something the Steelers certainly covet. In addition, Moreland earned a whopping 518 snaps covering the slot last year.

By most accounts, a nickel cornerback is one of Pittsburgh’s biggest needs, and you really couldn’t ask for a much better fit for the team than Moreland. Unfortunately, this may not be a possibility.

Steelers might not have a shot at Moreland

While the organization could be salivating at a chance to land Jimmy Moreland, this may not be possible. In order to have a shot at him, Moreland would have to be passed up on the waiver wire. Considering the waiver pickup order is based on a team’s record from the previous season, there will be at least 20 teams who will have a chance to snag Moreland before the Steelers.

In addition, Moreland was waived with an injury designation – which very well may have factored into Washington’s decision to let him go. Just like Antoine Brooks for the Steelers this year, Moreland may not be ready to go right away. For a player that will need to be signed to the active roster, this might not be a move they would want to risk doing at this point.

It’s easy to spot the similarities between Jimmy Moreland and former Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton, and he would have the potential to fill the same nickel cornerback role in Pittsburgh. However, it just doesn’t seem very likely that this will happen.