In the wake of Cam Sutton’s suspension, the Pittsburgh Steelers are left with a slot cornerback battle at training camp that will have to see someone emerge.
Well, not necessarily. There are options outside of the organization, some of which remain familiar, but there are plenty of options within the organization, too. Regardless, Pittsburgh has to find someone to play the first eight games with Sutton out, so the more options, the better.
So, let’s dive in:
DeShon Elliott
It does not matter if Sutton is there with Elliott or not. He will factor into the slot cornerback duties. Minkah Fitzpatrick played over 25 percent of his snaps down in the box or slot a season ago, a ballooned number that the Steelers want to change. That will help bring ‘Minkah-Ball’ back into style. Defenisve coordinator Teryl Austin admitted Elliott would factor into the slot cornerback room.
“One thing I like is that he knows what AFC North football is about, you know, starting in Baltimore. So, we figured he knew that. He’s also a real good pro,” Austin said. “He’s tough. He’s a good striker, you know. He brings some toughness in that secondary, where he’s going to get down in there, he can punish some ball carriers. And so, I think that gives us a level of physicality that we really want and like, and he does some things in the slot as well. So, he brings us some flexibility in there, and that’s what we like.”
Keep in mind that Elliott is assuredly the run-down nickel cornerback. But not the passing down slot cornerback. This could be split into two roles, even when Sutton returns. With Elliott’s experience as a blitzer and strong safety and the likely emergence of three safety sets with Damontae Kazee coming onto the field, expect Elliott to become a significant part of the equation.
Josiah Scott
Scott comes over from the Philadelphia Eagles as a veteran. He is the player, outside of Elliott, with the most experience on the roster in the slot. When the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him in the 2020 NFL Draft, that is all they asked him to do. Scott was later traded to the Eagles, where he started in the slot for the team in 2022.
“I was drafted as a slot in Jacksonville initially,” Scott said. “My role in the NFL has always been a slot. You know, I’ve flexed to other positions like safety, I’ve played dime for the Eagles. So, I’ve worn many hats, but the nickel is the most comfortable position that I’ve played since I came into the league.”
Judging by team reps, Scott would be the favorite to start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
Beanie Bishop
The buzzy name in the room is Beanie Bishop, who played just an hour and a half down I-79 in Morgantown. At West Virginia, Bishop proved to be a ballhawk that played with plenty of bark, but he backed it up with plenty of bite throuhgout his lone season there.
A doubted player coming up through high school, Bishop cut his teeth at Western Kentucky before breaking onto more natiaonal radars with West Virginia. Standing at just 5-foot-9, Bishop plays a lot bigger than he looks on the field.
“I like to hit guys in the mouth. A lot of receivers don’t like to play like that. There are a lot of receivers who are pretty and stuff like that. I don’t like to be a pretty player. I’m one of those nasty and physical guys. I play with an edge to my game and I’m fearless,” Bishop said.
He hit the ground running in the spring. If the Steelers had to pick someone based of that short sample size in shorts, Bishop would be that player. Bishop’s battles with third-round rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson popped him onto radars, and he is on the ascent. Translating that to Latrobe and into the preseason will be key for him to make the roster as an undrafted free agent.
Thomas Graham and Grayland Arnold
Throwing Graham and Arnold together into one bucket here as plucky veterans who have bounced around the league but could make a roster push. Graham has less playing time than Arnold overall, but they come with the same mindset.
Graham played outside at Oregon but transitioned into a mostly slot-specific role while with the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Arnold caught on with the Houston Texans as a special teamer who can play outside, the slot, and safety. Arnold’s chess piece versatility allows him to stick out from the crowd.
“[Versatility] helps a lot,” Arnold said. “Obviously, there is a lot on my plate but it definitely helps, it helps with the longevity. Me just being able to make it to year five, it helped a lot. Just being able to show that versatility and me just being a football player, it is a big plus.”
Patrick Peterson or Chandon Sullivan
The familiar names that are still on the market, Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan do make sense as the final option if Pittsburgh is not impressed by what they see during training camp. Peterson played all over the defensive formation in his last season, and while he lacks the desired speed the Steelers want in the secondary, he brings veteran savvy and ball skills.
Sullivan played his best football down the stretch at the end of the season. He progressively evovled into his run-down nickel role with Fitzpatrick sidelined with a knee injury in the final few regular season games. While Sullivan is not a high-upside option, he brings a certain floor for the Steelers.
Neither of these players are ideal options, and there is naturally a reason the Steelers wanted to upgrade on them. However, if the situation looks this dire come late August, they could be options.
Another free agent addition
The last option is the rest of the free agent field. Most of the other options remaining on the market are outside cornerbacks or pure safeties. Players like Adoree Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard, and others would play outside, and leave the slot cornerback job in question.
The biggest name in this crop that would solve the slot cornerback woes is Justin Simmons. But there remains other pure slot cornerbacks, such as K’Waun Williams, on the market as well. If it comes down to late August, a waiver wire addition or trade is not out of the realm of possibility, either.
