Among the Steelers' needs in the NFL Draft is finding a way to replace the roles Mike Hilton filled as their slot cornerback for the past four seasons after he signed with the Bengals in free agency.
Hilton went from being an undrafted player from the 2017 NFL Draft to a key asset in stuffing the run, blitzing quarterbacks and helping with underneath coverage. According to Pro Football Focus last season, Hilton's 508 snaps were 11th most on the team, with 346 of those snaps coming from him lining up in the slot.
The Steelers do have Terrell Edmunds and Cameron Sutton who each played 276 snaps in the slot last season, but having another defensive back to fill the slot so they can fill other roles would be ideal.
Dale Lolley reported on April 1 that part of Sutton's negotiations to re-sign with the Steelers was that he'll have more chances to play outside cornerback. Edmunds' skills as a safety next to Minkah Fitzpatrick have made him valuable in deep coverage while also lining up 381 times in the box, the most of any Steelers defensive back.
Here are my top five cornerbacks in the NFL Draft that would fit the Steelers need in the slot:
1. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State
2. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
3. Elijah Molden, Washington
4. Aaron Robinson, UCF
5. Kary Vincent, LSU
Samuel is one of the better cornerbacks of this class that could end up in the second round, and could also help at outside cornerback if Sutton or Joe Haden get injured. But Wade is an interesting fit who could be available as late as the fourth round.
Ohio State lined him up as an outside cornerback in 2020 which wasn't a good fit, but his 6-foot-1, 194 lbs. frame would make him a big nickel who could help in the box and his instincts to get physical against the run would replace the presence in the slot the Steelers lost with Hilton.
Molden, Robinson and Vincent each are smaller but shiftier cornerbacks who would be natural in slot coverage and be available in the middle rounds. But Wade's fit against the run could make him the most valuable to get picked there.
Safeties
1. Jevon Holland, Oregon
2. Richie Grant, UCF
3. Joshuah Bledsoe, Missouri
4. James Wiggins, Cincinnati
5. Damar Hamlin, Pitt
Drafting a safety is the other option to fill the Steelers' slot needs while also getting depth for Edmunds and Fitzpatrick to help in deep coverage. Holland and Grant each project as second round options, but waiting until the fourth round could still get players that fit that role.
Both Wiggins and Hamlin showed versatility in playing different roles and were known for being excellent communicators in their secondaries. Having a player who not only physically fits into the slot, but also rolls with pre-snap audibles would let the secondary disguise more coverages, leading to more turnover opportunities.
