Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne hasn't lived up to the billing of a third-round draft pick so far in his career. Selected 83rd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, Layne's length intrigued the Steelers' front office. Injuries set him back from the start, and he just hasn't been able to find his footing in Pittsburgh. While he's become a core special teamer, the same can't be said for his responsibilities at corner. Last offseason seemed to be his prime opportunity for earning a starting job, as Joe Haden was getting older, and former starters Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson were no longer with the team.
While he had a decent preseason, which included an interception and forced fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles, that wasn't enough for him to start in the regular season. James Pierre impressed throughout training camp and into the preseason, as he won the starting job at CB alongside Cameron Sutton and Haden. Arthur Maulet and others saw regular time at corner as well early in the season, as Pierre struggled. The team even traded for another cornerback in Akhello Witherspoon, who won over the starting job by the end of the season.
The Steelers made further reinforcements this offseason by signing former Buffalo Bills DB Levi Wallace, as the team let Haden walk. Just like that, the window of opportunity for a spot within the secondary seems to have closed for Layne. Now, he seems to just be fighting for a roster spot for the upcoming season. ESPN Steelers beat writer Brooke Pryor listed Layne as the team's potential cut candidate.
"Since being selected in the third round of the 2019 draft, Layne has been primarily a special teamer. Despite injuries at cornerback last season, Layne played 28 defensive snaps, and James Pierre surpassed him on the depth chart. The Steelers didn't pick up a corner in the draft, which works in Layne's favor, but unless he shows a big jump in training camp, Layne is firmly on the bubble entering the final year of his rookie deal."
This wouldn't surprise anyone, as Layne is merely a special teamer. In fact, he's yet to make a start at corner in his NFL career. That does benefit him to an extent though, as we know head coach Mike Tomlin values his special teams guys. As Pryor mentioned as well, the Steelers didn't add a corner in the draft. Perhaps Layne will get one last go around, as he still has a few months to prove himself.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 and cornerback Justin Layne #31 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hit wide receiver Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens on the last play of the game during the Steelers 28-24 win at M&T Bank Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Witherspoon, Wallace, and Sutton are locks to make the 53-man roster at cornerback, while Layne, Pierre, and Maulet are the other notable guys at the position. Sophomore Tre Norwood plays a bit of everywhere in the secondary, so he even counts as a hybrid corner/safety. As a result, one of the guys from the aforementioned trio are likely to get cut heading into the season. For now, it seems that may be Layne.
Do you guys think the Steelers should give Justin Layne one last chance? If so, would you like to see him get some time at corner this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, as well as who you think the Steelers will cut from their CB room!
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