Most of the NFL world is turning its attention away from free agency and directing it toward the draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an awkward spot as the team must pay close attention to available free agents while keeping its eyes fixed on the upcoming draft. Aaron Rodgers continues to string along the Steelers with his prolonged decision-making.
Outside of Rodgers, other free agents are looking for a job. A new option just hit the market after getting cut by the Las Vegas Raiders. Jack Jones produced 16 starts for their defense in 2024, and his connection to The Black and Gold is transparent. The Steelers' secondary coach, Gerald Alexander, watched Jones closely with the Raiders last season.
Alexander could vouch for Jones to sign with the Steelers once he starts to make decisions about his football future. The veteran cornerback has been a backup and starter in the NFL. He earned a top job with Las Vegas after years of developing within the New England Patriots system. Pittsburgh could use some experienced players to add to its secondary.
He might not fix their issues, but he could infuse the room with more talent.
Jack Jones could be a perfect addition to Steelers in free agency
The Steelers added some pieces to their secondary during free agency, but they should consider adding others. Juan Thornhill and Darius Slay appear to be good free-agent acquisitions, but they won't solve all their problems. They will struggle to address their issues across their secondary during the draft. Pittsburgh must solve the concerns on its depth chart.
In a scenario where either Joey Porter Jr. or Slay gets injured for any extent of time, Cory Trice will be an unproven starter. If Trice gets injured, it seems James Pierre would slide into a starting role. Adding someone like Jones might be one of the most important decisions by Steelers general manager Omar Khan. Their depth at the cornerback position is weak.
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With only six draft picks in tow, Khan must be careful with how he utilizes those. He must address different needs across the defensive and offensive lines while targeting other positions. The Steelers don't have any room for error heading into the draft.
Signing a veteran cornerback would solve their concerns and alleviate pressure off the upcoming draft.
It's comical how seamless it is to connect the Steelers and Jones. He just hit free agency, but it would be shocking if he didn't join Pittsburgh. He plays outside at the position, but the veteran has limited experience in the slot. He could earn a starting job, but Jones could also play a vital role as a depth player. A marriage of these two would make perfect sense for both parties.