Unsung heroes from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 season

Pierre has had a rebound year

I have had a soft spot for James Pierre ever since he made the roster out of training camp during COVID. That is quite a notable feat, as there was no preseason for Pierre to prove himself, yet the team still felt that he was good enough to warrant a roster spot. He quickly established himself on special teams and finally saw some defensive work in year two.

It was a mixed bag, but overall Pierre struggled to keep up with NFL talent at receiver. He retained his job on special teams, but his time on defense seemed to be over. Injuries this season forced him back onto the field, and he has played well. He is only averaging a quarterback rating of 57.5 when targeted and has established himself as the third-best cornerback on this roster.

Pierre isn’t going to be a top outside cornerback, but he has proven to be a fine starter when called upon. Assuming the team tenders him this offseason, I think you can go into the season with him in this same role. Ideally, the team invests in some cornerback help, but Pierre can be a steady starter and reserve which is a huge win considering how most viewed him after last year.