5 biggest positional needs for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 offseason

3. Steelers need a cornerback

After losing both Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson in free agency during the 2021 offseason, Pittsburgh’s cornerback situation went from good to bad very fast. Though they were always lacking a legit CB1 option, they at least had great depth over the previous few years. Now they don’t even have that.

Joe Haden had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2021, and father time has clearly caught up with him. Entering his age-33 season, the Steelers would be wise to let someone else sign him as an unrestricted free agency this offseason. Sadly, this leaves the Steelers with just two players at the position with ample starting experience: Cameron Sutton and Ahkello Witherspoon — and that’s assuming they are able to retain Witherspoon on a new deal.

Of the group, Witherspoon is the only cornerback worth keeping around long-term. He has now strung together back-to-back good seasons in the NFL, and he has the size, athleticism, and ball skills to be a legitimate starting boundary cornerback.

Sutton, on the other hand, struggled in an increased role and should revert back to sub-package duties in 2022. James Pierre and Justin Layne both proved that the stage is too big for them. The Steelers are severely lacking talent at the CB position. I expect them to look for a big name in free agency this year, and I would be surprised if they went this direction as early as the 20th overall pick in the NFL Draft.