Steelers Rookie Could Force Major Shakeup At Cornerback For Brandin Echols

The Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary proved to be effective in spurts in 2025. The team's best statistical cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., broke out and proved he is one of the best in coverage throughout the entire NFL. However, he lacked a true running mate, so the front office signed veteran corner Jamel Dean to line up alongside Porter. Dean has quietly proven to be a lockdown presence and should be a perfect complement to Porter. Outside of those two, Pittsburgh has loaded up on depth. The secondary has plenty of solid options to play in different packages, which should make the defense as a whole much better in 2026.

Among the Steelers' depth pieces at corner are Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, and rookie Daylen Everette. Echols served as a primary nickel corner in 2025, where he put up some solid numbers. Samuel will be utilized as an option as an outside corner, and after signing with Pittsburgh in the middle of 2025, he did enough to earn another go with the team for the upcoming campaign. As for Everette, his name is deeper into the depth chart, but after rave reviews from offseason activities, he could make a mark should he earn some playing time. 

For Echols, he appeared in 16 games in his first year in Pittsburgh. The former New York Jets sixth-rounder was signed to a two-year deal in 2025 free agency. He registered two interceptions, six pass deflections, and a sack in limited snaps. Echols played 47% of the Steelers' defensive snaps and still managed to put up a respectable stat line. The nickel spot could be his spot to lose if he doesn't perform throughout the regular season again however, as Steelers writer Brian Batko believes that the rookie Everette may earn a bigger role than just a backup. 

"Everette, the youngest player on the team having just turned 22 in early May, might be waiting in the wings once the regular season arrives. But he figures to be as busy as any rookie come training camp. If [Jalen] Ramsey, Dean and Porter are solidified in their roles to the extent that they don't need to overdo it in July and August, look for Everette to get a heavy workload of snaps in his transition from Georgia to the NFL. It wouldn't hurt for Everette to emerge as an option at the nickel spot, either, should those reps come his way," Batko wrote. 

Everette was chosen with one of the Steelers' three third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even though he was thought of as more of a project corner for the future, his offseason work has proven that he is already closer to NFL-ready than many believed. This would be bad for Echols considering he had the spot locked up in 2025, but some fresh blood there wouldn't be so bad.

Everette was an under-the-radar pick for Pittsburgh, as some believed that the cornerback depth had been addressed in free agency, but the injection of youth into the group could prove interesting. His training camp performances against some tough Steelers receivers will be what could set him apart. If he really performs well, that could make coaches second-guess keeping him on the bench on game day. 

As for Echols, he should secure the starting spot initially depending on what the team decides to do with Jalen Ramsey, but if he doesn't perform up to standards as the season progresses and Everette plays well, then the rookie could cut into some of those limited snaps. 

The Steelers Have Plenty Of Options At Corner

Porter and Dean will be the top two corners for the team, but the depth will play a huge role. Another important part of the defense is how well Ramsey will stack up in his "star" role, which means he'll be playing all over the defense. This is good news, as Ramsey can fill in anywhere in case of injury and do what he's best at, which is being a disruptor. The addition of Everette is for the future, but it could come quicker. However, Ramsey's role could cut into his chances at playing too.

This year should be much better at the corner position considering all of the talent in the position group for Pittsburgh.

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