5 Steelers who could be cut before the 2023 season

4. James Pierre

James Pierre has had an interesting journey to the Steelers.

He was undrafted in the 2020 draft and was signed as a UDFA(undrafted free agent) by the Steelers. He ended up making the 53 man roster and made his first start in 2021. The hype around Pierre was palpable and many Steeler fans were hopeful he could solidify the cornerback room and become a young piece to build around. A few years later, the talk around Pierre is a bit different.

After starting 4 games in 2021 and playing decently, Pierre only made 2 starts in 2022 and was fine. He didn't play himself off the field but didn't stand out enough for the Steelers to trust him heading into the offseason. That's one of the reasons the Steelers drafted two high upside corners in Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice and signed veteran Patrick Peterson in free agency. Those new additions leave Pierre's future in Pittsburgh uncertain.

Typically, the Steelers keep 5 cornerbacks on the roster. Peterson, Levi Wallace, Porter Jr., and Trice should have four of those spots locked up. All four corners usually line up on the outside, meaning the Steelers need a slot corner with that fifth spot. Pierre hasn't really played in the slot a lot and the team signed Chandon Sullivan, a primarily slot corner, from the Vikings. It's fair to assume that Sullivan could get that last spot, leaving Pierre on the practice squad or moving his things to a new city.