The Steelers will need to add players to the cornerback position, especially with many expected to be departing the team this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the hunt for some talent at their cornerback position. Both Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon are scheduled to become free agents once the new league year in 2022 begins. It seems unlikely that the team will bring back both, they could potentially bring one of those two back but right now, it is unknown.
Witherspoon seems like the safer option with the high level of play that he showed down the stretch in 2021. He is younger and has a better ceiling than Haden. The future of these two will help shape how this position factors into what the Steelers need to do to address the need in either free agency or the draft.
Honorable mentions
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth Jr. was one of the top prospects at his position entering the college football season. He didn’t have a terrible season but many expected him to prove something on the gridiron before he turned pro. He did not sink his stock much but the Clemson program had a tough season, especially with the type of expectation that they carry.
This prospect gets an honorable mention to this list as many still project him during the late portion of the first round or sometimes in the second round. Booth is a promising corner to fill out a starting outside spot for a defense at the next level. He could be an option for the black and gold with their second pick.
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Roger McCreary is another interesting cornerback coming out of college. Some have compared him to Steven Nelson, and that is some music to Steelers fan’s ears. Nelson was a big contributor to this team while he played here. This prospect can play both inside and outside at the next level and that will interest many clubs.
This player is someone that does well in man coverage and can step up and cover the run. His athleticism is another trait that could lure the Steelers to consider him come draft time. McCreary is currently projected to go in the late portions of round one or sometime during round two.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Trent McDuffie continues the long line of talented cornerbacks that got drafted into the NFL coming out of Washington. He is a sticky corner that will likely be a nickel corner at the next level. That seems to be what the Steelers are looking for while they scout their next cornerback in this draft class.
That is an interesting scouting idea as they will potentially be losing both starting outside corners to free agency soon. Perhaps they have some free agency ideas to plug some holes and move Cam Sutton to the outside. That would free up a nickel and slot corner spot.
This player out of Washington is someone that will be a first-round selection. He is a solid tackler that prefers to get into the mix. That will make him stick out among his fellow secondary players in this class. It is not every day that you find a willing tackler at the position
Another thing that will interest Pittsburgh is this player’s ability to excel in zone coverage. Many fans will hate hearing this as the defense seems to let up a ton of yards in the zone defense, but they will continue that. McDuffie will be able to help stop that destructive zone coverage and help secure the issues.
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner, also known as “Sauce”, would be the best cornerback in most classes, but the best prospect is too talented to let him pass up. This is a special player that never allowed a single touchdown during his time in college. He is a tall rangy corner that will have scouts intrigued throughout the process.
He did play his college ball in a smaller conference, as he attended Cincinnati as a Bearcat. That team had some solid players both on the team and in the secondary as well. That secondary was talented enough to have a couple of NFL draft selections in the 2022 event.
This player would be a great selection for the Steelers if he somehow fell to pick 20. That will likely not happen as many teams are looking for what this prospect brings. He has the size and skill to become one of the best corners in the NFL for years to come.
Gardner has been able to start since his freshman year and college and has only gotten better. He was able to continue his growth physically and as a football player to have a great collegiate career. He is projected to go at some point in the first half of the first round.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Derek Stingley Jr. headlines this talented class of defenders in the secondary. He is the best prospect out of any secondary position in the 2022 NFL draft class. He is a great athlete with a ton of skill and experience. He has shown enough to separate himself from the pack during his time at LSU.
One thing that this player also brings to the table with him is youth. He won’t turn 21 until late June. That along with his great skills at his position. will be a lock for the top ten of this draft. He could even go higher, like the top five selections.
His best season was during LSU’s championship season, he started as a true freshman on that defense. He was also the top recruit during the 2019 cycle. The only concern about this player is his health moving forward. He has all the skills that teams looking for but he hasn’t played a full season since that championship one.
He has been hampered by injuries and other off-the-field changes in the program that he picked. LSU has had coaching changes during his time of attendance. The program derailed some since 2019 and that affected his production some as well. His talent can’t be denied and he will not have to wait on night one of the draft, well before the Steelers pick.
The Steelers will need to address this position in free agency and the draft. It will be a group with some new faces once 2022 begins.