The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a legitimate No. 1 cornerback in years. While the position group improved near the end of the 2022 campaign, it remains a primary need heading into the offseason. That holds particularly true with Cam Sutton set to hit free agency, who may end up being too expensive to re-sign. The six-year veteran was the team’s best and most consistent corner this past season. With three picks in the top-50 of the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s likely that the Steelers will use one of those early selections on a corner.
Photo Credit: Penn State Athletics
Steelers fans could see Joey Porter Jr. in black and gold in 2023, just a few decades after his father was a star in Pittsburgh.
It’s certainly in play with the 17th overall pick, as Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. have both been mocked to Pittsburgh in recent weeks. So, if the team does re-sign Sutton, how does that change the cornerback room? Well, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette appeared on 93.7 The Fan with Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller on Thursday, and he thinks they could still draft a CB at 17th overall, even if Sutton is re-signed:
"If [a] CB is the highest-graded [remaining] player on their board at that time, then I think they would [draft a CB after re-signing Sutton]. Cam Sutton is a big linchpin to this offseason, but no, just because they sign him, doesn't mean they wouldn't draft a cornerback with their top pick. I think there is still a need for a guy who can potentially develop into a number one corner on this team," Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan.
Hypothetically, that would give the Steelers a cornerback trio of Sutton, Levi Wallace, and a 2023 first-rounder. Kelee Ringo out of the University of Georgia could be another option, but you get the point. That would be quite the formidable starting trio, and it would give them plenty of flexibility. Behind those three, general manager Omar Khan could go several different ways. This hypothetical scenario would likely mean the end of Ahkello Witherspoon's tenure in Pittsburgh, or at least his contract.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter JSKO_PHOTO)
What Will The Steelers' CB Room Look Like In 2023?
According to Spotrac, Sutton's market value is at an annual number of $7.6 million. That would put him at a three-year, $23 million deal, which simply will not happen. At this point, with the market, Sutton is destined to get at least double-digit millions on an annual basis. It's unclear if general manager Omar Khan will be willing to pay the corner that kind of money. Last off-season though, he did show that he wasn’t afraid to be aggressive.
If the team re-signed Sutton, would you be opposed to drafting a corner with the 17th pick still? What corners do you prefer in the 2023 NFL Draft? What kind of contract do you think Sutton will ultimately get? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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