Mike Hilton wasn't given an extension by Kevin Colbert and the Steelers coming into the 2019 season, but Hilton decided to show up and play out his contract that pays him $645,000 this year.
He's still a restricted free agent for the Steelers after this season, and that could be a major benefit to the defense that he's found several ways to help in 2019. Both in coverage and run support, Hilton has carved a unique place in this elite defensive unit:
Hilton's become a regular starter for the Steelers' defense with 557 snaps on the season, 62.44 percent of the team's total defensive plays. That's the tenth most of any defensive player on the roster even with him being the fifth most used defensive back.
Keith Butler and Mike Tomlin have made the nickel and dime packages a staple of their defense that ranks sixth in points allowed, fifth in yards allowed, fifth in passing yards allowed and ninth in rushing yards allowed.
Hilton's work as the primary slot cornerback has helped the pass defense take away threats over the middle of the field. Watch how his coverage of Jarvis Landry gives the defense the ability to commit all six of their defensive front to the backfield. Both Devin Bush and Mark Barron commit to Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb. Behind them, Hilton runs with Landry's crossing pattern and knocks the ball away:
Hilton already has ten passes defensed in 2019, which is two more than his career high of eight from 2018. He's not the turnover machine that Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick have been for the secondary, but he's been reliable with at least getting his hands on the ball while in coverage.
Watch how he takes on Tyler Boyd's out route. He's in man coverage where he has to maintain inside leverage, which is why his break on the pass was impressive. He does miss the chance for his second interception on the season, but it's still a play he stops for an opposing offense:
Those are the plays the Steelers have come to expect from Hilton against the pass, but he's also a big part of their plans against the run. His 50 tackles on the season are seventh most on the team and range from him tackling receivers after the catch as well as working against the run in the box.
Hilton has sharp football instincts, especially when it comes to countering different run schemes. Plenty of teams struggle against the option when there's a mobile quarterback, but the Steelers play a disciplined style of defense that relies on each player handling their own assignments.
Hilton plays a big part in those types of plays, often flying off the edge to take on his assignment. Watch how he plays the threat of the option between Kyler Murray and Kenyan Drake last week. When a quarterback is a threat in the option, at least one defender has to account for him as a potential runner and force him to give up the ball.
Hilton flies up quickly and breaks down into a good defensive stance in case Murray keeps the ball. Adding to his aggressiveness, he quickly diagnoses the play and tackles Drake along with Bush for a minimal gain:
Hilton's game has become a central but unsung part to how the Steelers' defense takes away what opposing offenses try in the middle of the field. The Steelers do have a young Cameron Sutton lying in wait, but the chemistry with Hilton may be too much to pass up if the defense finishes the season strong and carries them to the playoffs.
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