While the Pittsburgh Steelers are now enjoying their summer prior to Training Camp, we’re going to spend some time previewing the positions. From the locks to the guys who are just ‘camp bodies’ we’ll take a look at all of the guys competing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Cornerbacks
On the Roster: Brandin Echols, Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter, Jr, Daylen Everette, Donte Kent, Devan Boykin, Asante Samuel, Jr, D’Shawn Jamison, Daryl Porter, Ahmari Harvey, Tamon Lynum, Donello Slaughter
*The final five guys listed above are ‘DBs’ rather than ‘CBs’ according to the Steelers. I will let you make your own conclusions as to why this is as none seem like safety types.
What We Know: This group has a chance to be really solid. The veteran Dean joins JPJ on the boundary while the slot corner appears to be in the hands of Echols and Ramsey depending on the situation. Rookie Daylen Everette was a pleasant surprise in OTAs as he had a lot of time covering D.K. Metcalf and more than held his own. Putting the pads on however always reveals more and not just for Everette but for all of the youngsters.
What We Don’t Know: JPJ is awaiting an extension or new deal and that will weigh heavily on how things progress during the Preseason. If his contractual situation drags on then that likely means so too while his “soft holdout.” The positive side of that is other guys like Everette and Samuel, Jr would get more work during Camp. The negatives however would outweigh the positives though. JPJ is too important to have on the sidelines should it drag on long into the preseason.
We also are uncertain regarding Graham’s intensions with Ramsey. He’s listed as a cornerback here but could certainly see time at nickel which is expected and possibly at safety. OTAs don’t reveal a whole lot but it was evident that two high safeties appeared to be the direction Graham was going. “Typically” that means more coverage based schematics than it does relying on the pass rush. Stay tuned as they say…
How It Shakes Out: Pencil in JPJ, Dean, Ramsey, Echols and the rookie Everette. Kent is in some trouble for two reasons; he was drafted by Tomlin’s staff and with Kaden Wetjen the primary returner, that spells doom for him. I think Samuel, Jr has the best chance of being the sixth corner should they keep that many. With four safeties and Ramsey’s flexibility the number of total corners Graham opts for will be curious.
Keep in mind that injuries during Camp and the Preseason always have a way of factoring into these decisions.
