Mike Hilton talked with Dale Lolley last week about his role in his first year playing with the Steelers and how he can improve. But Hilton's feisty style of play is what made him a significant role player for the Steelers as the slot cornerback who not only covered receivers over the middle, but also helped the front seven win at the line of scrimmage.
As the Steelers consider how they'll deploy their defensive personnel with extra safeties added through the draft and free agency, they know they have a hard-nosed option in Hilton. Hilton's size as a 5-foot-9 cornerback may be a liability against taller receivers, but his resolve to challenge every play makes it difficult to justify taking him off the field.
Hilton's 2017 stats are impressive for a player in his first year as a regular slot cornerback, recording two interceptions, six passes defensed and four sacks. Week after week, Hilton showed how he could contribute all over the field.
One way was how feisty he was, regardless of who he had to attack or if blockers were in his way. A prime example was against the Chiefs when he blew up an early game screen to Travis Kelce. Watch how Hilton reads the screen and works around his man to attack Kelce and bring him down immediately after catching the ball:
Hilton's ability to read offenses and make necessary adjustments is as important as him being feisty at the point of attack. He consistently is able to read plays and keep his body within close proximity of his target, whether it is the blockers in his way, the ball carrier he chases, or the receiver he covers.
But another factor is how Hilton can change a coverage scheme by simply being a blitzing threat off the edge. Watch how the Steelers are able to blanket all four receiving targets on the below play while asking Hilton to blitz off the edge on the left side of the offensive line. Not only are all the targets blanketed in coverage, but Hilton is able to drive the left tackle into the quarterback and grab the sack:
Being able to apply pressure and help tackle at the line of scrimmage is only part of his game, and Hilton was a pleasant surprise for the Steelers in coverage. Having a quick slot cornerback gave defensive coordinator Keith Butler a lot more confidence in his group, since Hilton could take away quick, intermediate receivers.
Watch how he's in coverage over the slot here, barely retreats from his spot, and makes the well-timed jump on the ball to swat away the pass:
Hilton made very few false steps. That kept him in position to react to whatever he saw. When playing like that, it's important for a cornerback to have good recovery speed when he gets beat. Limiting the number of false steps while still making a play on the ball is a trait that is especially useful over the middle of the field.
With all the complex offensive formations, it's natural for slot cornerbacks to miss their initial assignment. But Hilton didn't use that as an excuse when he was beat against the Patriots. Here he forces a pass break-up against Tom Brady by switching it up.
Notice how Hilton starts a fake blitz, then changes to cover his man, and he's able to do so by hustling to get to the end zone. He also does a great job in tracking down his man and challenging for the ball without looking back and giving up his position:
This is the feisty Hilton who made the Steelers roster by fighting through blockers, doubts, and complex offensive formations. If he's intent on continuing that role as the first defensive back on the field after the base two safeties and two cornerbacks, finding a way to become even more consistent is vital.