Position by position: DBs
by Ray Fittipaldo
Three of the four starting defensive backs are unrestricted free agents. The top nickel cornerback by season’s end is a free agent, too. Some of the reserves are reserves in name only and are on the roster to play special teams.
Yes, the Steelers have plenty of concerns at cornerback and safety entering the offseason, which is one of the reasons there is speculation they could address one of those positions in free agency before the draft later this spring.
Let’s start with the players the Steelers are likely to part ways with. The most obvious are Cortez Allen and Brandon Boykin. Allen appears to be a no-brainer. He never lived up to the $25 million contract he signed before the 2014 season and even though the dead money hit will hurt this season getting him off the books long-term will help readjust their finances going forward.
The Steelers used a fifth-round draft choice to acquire Boykin in July, but he didn’t break into the cornerback rotation until late in the season. He didn’t do a poor job once he was installed, but with rookie Senquez Golson playing the same position, slot corner, there is little reason to re-sign Boykin.
The Steelers never believed Boykin was an outside corner and played him almost exclusively in the slot. They figure to use Golson, at least at the beginning of his career, in the same role.
William Gay and Antwon Blake, the two outside corners who played the majority of the snaps, are also unrestricted free agents. Gay is the better player and even though he is 31 I think the Steelers will attempt to re-sign him. He is a versatile player that can play inside or outside.
That leaves the Steelers with a decision to make on Blake. If Gay is re-signed that would leave Ross Cockrell, whom the Steelers signed to a one-year deal, as the only other experienced corner on the roster.
The only way I see Blake returning is if he comes back for the veteran minimum or thereabouts. If that happens he can fill a special teams role and add depth at cornerback. He was the most targeted cornerback in the league, and even though he made some big plays, opposing quarterbacks also threw his way for a reason.
Doran Grant might be able to add depth at corner as well, but coach Mike Tomlin said he might be a candidate to move to safety. Either way, he did nothing in his rookie season to make anyone believe he can be a rotational player at corner in 2016.
The Steelers haven’t drafted a cornerback in the first round of the draft since 1997. The Steelers may or may not break that streak this spring, but they will almost certainly invest another draft pick or two in a cornerback even if they sign one in free agency.
At safety, Mike Mitchell had a solid season at free safety. Mitchell, who was healthy after an injury-riddled first season with the team, provided some big game-changing plays in a couple of important victories. He is the only starter in the defensive backfield that is sure to return next season.
The strong safety spot is one of the team’s biggest concerns. The Steelers brought back Will Allen on a one-year deal to provide depth behind Shamarko Thomas. But when Thomas couldn’t nail down the starting job in training camp Allen stepped in as the starter. He played OK, showing an ability to get home on blitzes, but he’s not a sure open-field tackler any longer. And his age is a concern. He will turn 34 in June.
Even if the Steelers bring him back as a depth player on another one-year deal they have to find a long-term replacement for him. Thomas, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2013 to fill that role, has faltered when given the opportunity and will have a hard time making the roster this summer.
Robert Golden, who filled in as Allen’s replacement for three games in the middle of the season when Allen was injured, is an unrestricted free agent. He might be someone the team wants to keep around as a top reserve and special teams player, but he is entering his fifth season. If he hasn’t ascended to a starting role yet it’s unlikely the team has him pegged as a future starter.
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Originally Posted by teegre
