As the new league year approaches, I'll be diving into key position groups, analyzing where they stand now and what the future may hold. One area in desperate need of a revamp is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ cornerback room. After years of lacking depth at the position, change is long overdue.
Donte Jackson is set to hit free agency, and the decision to bring back Cameron Sutton proved to be a costly mistake, as he too will be a free agent along with James Pierre. As things stand, the Steelers have only three legitimate cornerbacks under contract. Here's a breakdown of their current situation and what lies ahead.
The current state of the Pittsburgh Steelers' cornerback room
As I mentioned earlier, the Steelers currently have only three cornerbacks on the roster with legitimate value: Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice Jr., and Beanie Bishop Jr. However, all three have significant areas for improvement before the team can feel confident in the group moving forward.
Starting with Joey Porter Jr., his second season in the NFL was underwhelming. After a promising rookie campaign, many expected a big leap in year two, but that never materialized. Instead, he was plagued by inconsistency, with some performances being outright dreadful—such as the first game against Cincinnati.
Cory Trice Jr. remains an intriguing but risky prospect due to his ongoing injury concerns. After tearing his ACL in his rookie season, he missed time again this year with a hamstring injury. His slide in the draft was largely due to these durability issues, but Pittsburgh still views him as a potential starter. If he can stay healthy, his upside is undeniable, and next season could finally provide a larger sample size of what he’s capable of.
Beanie Bishop Jr. initially held down the slot corner role until Cameron Sutton returned from suspension. He flashed real potential with some strong performances, but the Steelers ultimately didn’t trust him enough, opting to play Sutton instead.
As for Donte Jackson, he was acquired as part of the trade package with the Carolina Panthers and managed to notch five interceptions last season. However, at 30 years old and coming off an up-and-down year, he’s set to hit free agency. Given the value teams often place on interception numbers, it’s likely someone will overpay for him—making a return to Pittsburgh unlikely.
How free agency and the draft could shape the Steelers' cornerback room
The Steelers must prioritize bolstering their cornerback room, particularly when it comes to adding much-needed depth. For years, the team has neglected to build a truly deep unit with legitimate NFL talent, and that has to change this offseason.
In free agency, cornerback should be a top priority. Given the team’s cap space and the available options, I expect Pittsburgh to target a starting outside corner as well as a younger veteran to solidify the slot position.
In the draft, the Steelers should invest in a cornerback within the top 100 picks—most likely in the second or third round. Additionally, doubling up later in the draft could be a smart move, especially if viable slot corner prospects emerge who could push Beanie Bishop Jr. for playing time.
This position group needs a serious overhaul, and this offseason is the time to finally address it. The Steelers can’t afford to overlook it any longer.