The Steelers, and while some will be targets to bring back, quite a few notable names will walk. With free agency just around the corner, I wanted to go player by player and see what their value could be on the open market and what it would cost Pittsburgh to keep them.
We round out this series with Donte Jackson. The team acquired him in the Diontae Johnson trade last year, and it is safe to say that they won that deal. Jackson went on to start every game he was healthy for, and he reeled in five interceptions. He was a stable force in a mediocre secondary.
That said, his play did waver down the stretch. He missed more assignments and struggled more in coverage during the final stretch of the season. He also battled injury, as he seemed to have a nagging back issue that limited his availability. Given his age, that isn’t likely to get better next year.
Steelers market value for Donte Jackson
- Over the Cap Value: $5.995 million
- Spotrac Value: N/A
Similar contracts: Stephon Gilmore ($7 million); Ronald Darby ($4.25 million); Rasul Douglas ($7 million)
There seems to be a clear market value for Donte Jackson, and for once, Over the Cap seems to be close to where his next deal should reside. At this stage in his career, Jackson is a bigger name that has settled in as a second cornerback for a team.
The three names with similar deals are identical types of players. Stephon Gilmore was, at one point, the best cornerback in the league but has become a fine stop-gap option at his age. Ronald Darby seems to spend every year on a new team providing them with steady second cornerback snaps. Ditto for Rasul Douglas.
Assuming the Steelers want him back, he seems to have a clear value. In the 5-7 million range. On a two-year deal that will keep him both affordable and cuttable in case he regresses next year.
Steelers deal needed for Donte Jackson: 2-year, 12 million dollar deal (6 APY), 6 million signing bonus, 7.5 million total guaranteed
I think six million is the sweet spot for Jackson. It keeps him in a system that he did well in. Moving on to his third defense in two seasons could jeopardize his play, and at his age that could kill his career.
I also can’t see him getting that much more from another team. Maybe someone ponies up closer to seven million a season, but the unknown of going to a new team may not be worth that. He has a clear role in Pittsburgh and would be paid fairly for said role.
For the Steelers, they get a capable second cornerback back for next season. This keeps your options open. Want to continue to develop Cory Trice? Go for it, he can battle Jackson for that second spot. Want to draft someone early? Fine by me, and if said rookie is ready, Jackson can shift to that third cornerback role with relative ease and be cut in the offseason.
I genuinely think this is a deal that gets done, and it makes sense for both sides. Jackson gets to stay in the system that he did well with last year while the Steelers get a dependable veteran to keep the room strong. Given the lack of great cornerback free agents, I expect this deal to get done sooner rather than later.