8 cornerbacks Steelers can sign to replace Joe Haden in 2022
By Andrew Falce
The Steelers should sign Jackson
The crown jewel of this free agency class, J.C. Jackson will likely break some records if he is allowed to test free agency by the Patriots. If the Steelers were to design a cornerback for this roster, Jackson would be the guy. He has good size, good athleticism, and a tenacity for taking the ball away. Add in his familiarity with a man defense and you legitimately have the perfect package at cornerback.
Jackson fell out of his draft due to some rough off-the-field concerns, but he has blossomed into one of the league’s best cornerbacks. Despite only starting 11 games over his first two seasons, he recorded eight interceptions. In his four years total as a pro, he is up to 25 picks, an obscene number for a player to achieve. This doesn’t come at a cost to his efficiency in coverage either, as Jackson has allowed a quarterback rating of 43 this season when targeted.
To say Jackson is playing at an elite level is an understatement. He is looking like a young Darrell Revis with how he is shutting down opposing receivers and creating turnovers. That talent will cost a team though, as Jackson is projected to get a deal worth almost 21 million dollars a season if he hits the open market. Adding him would come at a cost, but the Steelers’ defense would be potent if they could sign such a player.
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The Steelers will likely be in the market for a new cornerback this offseason as Haden is set to depart the team. Considering the team’s history of drafting cornerbacks and the plethora of talented pending free agents, the team can and should look to add a veteran at the position. These eight cornerbacks all make sense for a Steelers team looking to add a starter.