The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded a fifth-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Brandon Boykin. The 25-year old has played in every game of his three year career and started six of them.
He brings very good slot coverage skills and the potential to be a return man as well which could really help the Steelers lessen the burden for Antonio Brown.
What worries me is why this trade was made. I wrote last evening that rookie Senquez Golson was getting a second opinion on his shoulder and now I believe that must not have gone well.
Right now I see Boykin manning the slot position and nothing else which means he is either depth behind Antwon Blake or is the primary nickel for the Steelers. Reading the tea leaves as I often do, I think the direction of the Steelers with Cortez Allen is to allow him to sink or swim at his position.
There is obviously a long way to go in the Steelers’ preseason but I think some things in the secondary are starting to come into focus. Whether they are how the Steelers envisioned is another thing.
5 comments
I like the move as long as Boykin knocks off the Chip Kelly is a racist stuff out and does his job then things will be fine.
I honestly don’t know what is going on in Philly. There are plenty of guys from many different backgrounds on that roster but clearly some guys feel there ‘s a problem. I think once Boykin gets a dose of Tomlin he’ll be fine.
I think this bodes ill for Cortez Allen, Golson’s injury notwithstanding. Boykin has starting outside skills. He’s much more than just a slot corner. A big part of his discontent was the role they were using him in Philly. I don’t think the Steelers would have traded for a player who has publicly stated he’s unhappy playing slot, just to put him back in the same situation. I have a feeling this is the end of the ill-advised experiment that is Cortez Allen. It was sheer idiocy on their part to give him a 26 million dollar contract when he hadn’t even proved he was an NFL caliber CB, let alone a starter. I believe Allen will get his sink or swim chance early and may even be released before regular season. He’s done nothing to prove he belongs in the NFL and that 26 mil could be going to good use elsewhere.
Great move, now give him a chance. This guy could easily be the best corner on the team.
As i have said i the past i wish the Steelers would develop a philosophy of best man up not next man up. The question here should be, is Boykin a better player than what we are putting out there now? If the answer is yes then there shouldn’t even be any hesitation inserting him the starting lineup. Here is the Steelers shortcoming they create a pecking order. And there are times when that order doesn’t follow the skill level of the players on it. Last year was a prime example our CB play picked up only when we got down to the bottom of the depth chart. And it shouldn’t be that way. We should always be fielding the best team we can regardless of how we acquired toughs players.