An annual rite of passage… Our Training Camp Previews for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The concept here is pretty straightforward; we’ll take a look at each position. Who is vying for a place on the 53-man roster and how will that happen? Obviously there are some spots much each easier to break down than others but we’ll do our best to cover it all. Today we cover the Cornerbacks
Brandin Echols, 5th Season
Coming over in free agency from the New York Jets, Brandin Echols has played in 57 career games since 2021. He’s started 19 of those games, but 14 of those were in his rookie campaign. He’s got the versatility to play on the inside or outside and it will be curious to see where the Steelers deploy him. Most believe him to be more suited and better in the slot, but we’ll see. With just two career interceptions, he’s not a ball hawk but he is a solid tackler which is sorely needed.
Beanie Bishop, 2nd Season
Sometimes when guys make a few plays, their actual value to a team gets inflated. They create a few turnovers or scoop and score a fumble leading to fans believing that they are worthy of more time. Beanie Bishop, Jr may – and I stress “may” – fall into this category. He had four interceptions in his rookie season largely playing in the slot. Unfortunately, when veteran Cam Sutton came off his eight-game suspension, he got the nod over Bishop.
The argument was that Sutton was more experienced and understood the defense better. Bishop meanwhile was making some plays but allegedly also was missing some assignments, thus Sutton was getting the snaps. Sutton is gone, but now Bishop faces challenges from Echols and Jalen Ramsey among others.
James Pierre, 6th Season
Pierre is the type of player who should have his Special Teams position listed before his defensive position. I say this simply because Pierre performs better on Special Teams than he does at cornerback. He is typically a gunner on punt team and participates in just about every other unit. Defensively, he can look solid at times. Too often however, he gets beat deep or just doesn’t stay with his man well enough. Because of the lack of depth, he’s got an advantage. That said, his negatives as a defensive back could cost him should someone else step up.
Joey Porter, Jr, 3rd Season
Entering his third season, Joey Porter, Jr has been durable missing just one game in 34. His overall game has been exactly what we all expected coming out of Penn State. He’s long, fast, athletic… and grabby. Not surprisingly, he led the NFL in penalties committed by a cornerback with 17. Like it or not, he’s become a target for officials and opposing receivers. They will do whatever it takes to get a call on him and sometimes it works.
Still, JPJ has to play smarter. He has to know when he can use his hands and when he can’t. He isn’t in a position to “hope” he doesn’t get a call. He’s an aggressive guy against the run and I would argue his tackler has improved as a professional. This is another player who faces an important season in terms of his long-term growth.
Jalen Ramsey, 10th Season
The trade for Jalen Ramsey is still at times, hard to believe, yet here he his. We know what he’s capable of doing but the major question heading into Camp is how do the Steelers plan to use him? With Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami, there is a void at free safety. Can Ramsey play there? Yes, he has experience dating back to his time at Florida State, but ideally I don’t think this is where the team wants him.
I tend to believe that they would prefer to move him around a lot. Have him cover the slot on one play, in the boundary on the next and who knows on the next one? Not until we get into Training Camp will we actually know. Ramsey is expensive, but he the Steelers have an “out” for next year if Ramsey doesn’t live up to his billing.
Darius Slay, 13th Season
Darius Slay can still play. My mad rhyming skills were not intended there but I’ll take them. At 34 years old, he’s still a great leader and important cog on any defense. His ability to communicate with the defense might be his most important asset for this team. I’m curious to see how the Steelers use him. Three weeks ago, he was plug and play at boundary corner opposite Joey Porter, Jr. Then the Jalen Ramsey trade happened.
My understanding is that there shouldn’t be too much change in that original plan. As the Steelers move Ramsey around, Slay should remain pretty constant on the boundary. Then again, we’ve heard a lot about “changes” from Mike Tomlin but until we see them, we should not expect much.
Donte Kent, Rookie
Kent has tremendous straight-line speed which has made him dangerous as a return man. As a defensive back, the speed certainly helps but he lacks in the way of ‘wiggle’ and the able to change direction. He has the versatility to play inside or outside but had just two career interceptions at Central Michigan. He will need to prove he can play on D while also being a potential gunner on punt team in order to have a chance.
Cory Trice, Jr, 3rd Season
This is a big year for Cory Trice, Jr. The size and length are there and the skills are too. For him, it’s all about health. He’s played in just six games (2024) after missing all of 2023. He can cover… He can tackle… He can re-route receivers… He’s just got to be on the field to get these things done. His importance to the team this year can’t be stated enough. With the starters on solid ground, he’s essentially the top reserve right now on the boundary so yeah, the Steelers are taking a bit of a gamble.
Cameron McCutcheon, 1st Season
McCutcheon is the definition of a ‘Camp Body’ as he’s bounced around for awhile without making his NFL debut yet. At best he is a candidate for the Practice Squad. Stranger things have happened but I don’t see him being around long.
D’Shawn Jamison, 2nd Season
I’m intrigued by Jamison. He’s not quite the type of guy size-wise you want on the boundary but he’s got above-average athleticism. He’s also aggressive and has been known to make plenty of plays on the ball. Because of his lack of size, he may be forced into the slot where there’s plenty of competition. Jamison is a dangerous punt and kick returner so his only hope is to be a Special Teamer. I think he will spend the season on the Practice Squad but has some intriguing skills.
Kyler McMichael, 1st Season
Former Top 100 player coming out of high school. McMichael attended Clemson for a year before finishing his career at North Carolina. He has a nice physical build for a boundary corner and tackles well. He just doesn’t possess the athleticism and “quicks” desired for the position at this level in my opinion.
How It Shakes Out
Your obvious picks are JPJ, Slay and Ramsey. I think you can pencil in Trice, Jr and Echols as well. I have to believe that Tomlin will keep six and with Pierre such an important Special Teamer, it’s hard not to see him get the nod. But then what about Bishop? I have a hard time seeing him not on this roster so does Tomlin go with seven? Camp and preseason injuries always factor in so we’ll see.
