Steelers corner room lacks depth
The Steelers may have the league’s most expensive defense, but there is one position that they lack depth at that could become an issue. The cornerback talent is decent at the top, with returning starters Ahkello Witherspoon and Cameron Sutton as well as free-agent addition Levi Wallace. Witherspoon especially was a big re-signing after a very strong second half of the season. Sutton didn’t have the big season many hoped for, but a return to the slot should help him.
The only significant addition to the group was former Bills corner, Levi Wallace. He has been a solid number two corner for Buffalo for a few years now, but nothing special. Outside of those three, it’s not an inspiring group.
Arthur Maulet is average at best as a slot corner, James Pierre lacks the speed to keep up with most outside receivers, and Justin Layne is a certified bust. Those three being your depth makes the health of the top guys incredibly important. Even one injury could derail the pass defense, especially if one of the outside corners goes down.
It’s still early in camp, so they could always add a veteran or pick up someone who gets cut from another team. But as it stands, the Steelers are playing a dangerous game with their secondary. Maybe they hope that the rest of the defense can pick up the slack if anything goes wrong, but I wouldn’t take that approach with the QBs they will be facing this season.