Steelers Likely Plan at Cornerback
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are limiting themselves at slot cornerback, leaving everyone wondering what the plan is at their weakest defensive position.
So, what are they thinking?
Let's start with the release of Arthur Maulet. While Maulet wasn't the most prominent coverage cornerback, receiving just a 55.1 grade from Pro Football Focus in coverage this past season, he did rack up 59 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Even if the Steelers are able to upgrade the position, they'll likely lose some of the physicality Maulet played with on the inside.
His departure is believed to be part of his own doing. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Maulet asked to be released, likely seeing the writing on the wall that the Steelers were making massive changes to both sides of the ball - including the cornerback position.
So, he left. Now what?
The Steelers have options already on their roster, and if they choose to remain with the group they have, this is probably their early belief at the cornerback position as a whole.
On the outside, Levi Wallace and Joey Porter Jr. are looked at as those to carry the bulk of the load. Even if Patrick Peterson starts, he likely bounces inside and plays the slot/nickel more than he does the outside.
So, when the Steelers starting defense is on the field, including a slot cornerback, Wallace and Porter will man the outside while Peterson plays inside.
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Then, there's Cory Trice Jr. The rookie seventh-round pick isn't viewed as anything more than a "hopefully this works out" product. He hasn't touched an NFL field and isn't a high enough draft pick to have any expectations for him.
He's likely viewed right now as the backup on the inside if newly-signed Chandon Sullivan doesn't work out. Sullivan will get an opportunity to prove himself on the inside and compete for the starting role. 30 starts in three seasons gives him a shot, but if you're upset with Maulet's 55.1 PFF grade, you won't be optimistic about Sullivan's 53.7 coverage grade last season.
Then, there's Ahkello Witherspoon and James Pierre. Of course, Madre Harper, Chris Wilcox and Duke Dawson will also get their reps and be presented an opportunity. Talking about the Steelers' likely outlook right now, though, you'd have to imagine Witherspoon and Pierre will compete for the final roster spot.
Strictly guessing, Pittsburgh's cornerback rotation in 2023 could look like:
RCB: Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon
LCB: Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr.
Nickel: Patrick Peterson, Cory Trice Jr.
Fans have mixed feelings about Witherspoon after a rough 2022 season, but the upside and the flashes of great play are there for the 28-year-old. Despite a 42.8 PFF coverage grade in four games last year, his last two seasons were graded as 79.8 and 80.9.
One four-game stint hasn't removed him from the Steelers' thoughts. Last year, he was viewed as "the guy" at the cornerback position for Pittsburgh. Anyone upset about him being the primary backup has too high of an expectation for what a role player should be.
If they keep Harper, Sullivan and Pierre on the practice squad, the Steelers find themselves with a much different group in 2023. But as they try to figure out the right combination of players in their cornerback room, looking at it as it falls above, they probably don't feel too bad about the potential the secondary brings into the summer.
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