Steelers Could Make A Bold Cornerback Switch To Daylen Everette Against Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the past month building a defense that opponents aren't particularly eager to face. However, their next assignment comes with a nasty reminder from September: even a victory can expose a weakness. One insider believes the coaching staff might reach back for an adjustment that helped Pittsburgh survive the first meeting, even if it means putting a veteran on the sideline again.

The decision centers on rookie Daylen Everette, whose role has shrunk despite an encouraging start to his NFL career. Insider Ray Fittipaldo thinks that could change when Pittsburgh visits the Cincinnati Bengals on November 15. The reason isn't some sudden breakthrough in practice. It's the two receivers waiting on the other side.

Speaking during a recent discussion, Fittipaldo pointed to the trust Pittsburgh has already shown its third-round pick.

“The rookies, Daylen Everette having a nice rookie season. I know they didn't play him a lot against the Browns, but, you know, he's been someone that they haven't been afraid to play in certain situations,” Fittipaldo said.

The first Bengals game was one of those situations. Pittsburgh won 30-27 on September 27, but Asante Samuel Jr. endured a rough afternoon against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both caught touchdowns while matched against Samuel. Pittsburgh reduced his workload as the contest progressed, giving Everette substantial second-half opportunities.

The snap counts tell the story without overstating it. Samuel still played 41 of 57 defensive snaps, while Everette logged 26. That wasn't a permanent benching or proof the rookie had suddenly won the starting job. It was a matchup adjustment in a close division game, and Pittsburgh trusted Everette enough to make it while the outcome remained in doubt.

Fittipaldo believes the same calculation could return.

“If you remember that first game against the Bengals, they were a little bit concerned about the way Samuel was playing. They actually put Everette in there a bunch in that game. Now, listen, Burrow still had a great game. Chase and Higgins still did their thing, but a little bit better matchup in their minds was Everette over Samuel. So, we’ll see what happens again, but maybe this is a game where Everette can get back on the field and maybe contribute a little bit more,” Fittipaldo said.

The physical explanation is pretty straightforward. Everette stands 6-foot-1, while Samuel is listed at 5-foot-10. Higgins can win above defenders at the catch point, and Chase is powerful enough to turn a small leverage mistake into a sizable gain. Height doesn't automatically make someone a better cornerback, but those extra inches can matter when the offense keeps challenging the boundary.

Everette also earned his opportunities. He broke up a third-down pass during that September victory, a play that helped stop a Cincinnati possession. It wasn't a flawless performance, and Joe Burrow still finished with 282 passing yards and three touchdowns. But the rookie showed he could handle meaningful snaps against elite competition without looking overwhelmed by the moment.

His recent usage makes Fittipaldo's prediction more intriguing. Everette played only nine defensive snaps in the November 1 win over Cleveland, compared with 70 for Samuel. Jamel Dean has reclaimed a regular outside role, and Pittsburgh's recent explanation for Everette's smaller workload centered on the staff's comfort with its veteran corners. The rookie didn't necessarily play his way out of the rotation; the veterans became harder to take off the field.

That's fine against an opponent whose receivers don't create the same size problems. Cincinnati presents a different examination. Burrow has 23 touchdown passes through eight games, and the Bengals enter Sunday's matchup at 6-2, tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead. A mistake against Chase or Higgins could swing far more than a single possession.

Steelers May Need To Trust Their Rookie Again

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham shouldn't hand Everette the job simply because Samuel struggled in September. The veteran has played better stretches since, and throwing a rookie into repeated one-on-one coverage against Cincinnati's receivers carries its own risks. But ignoring a matchup the staff already identified would be equally stubborn.

The smarter answer could be a rotation based on personnel and field position. Let Samuel handle assignments that fit his strengths, then use Everette's length when Cincinnati threatens the boundary with its bigger targets. That's a coaching decision rooted in evidence from the first meeting, not an indictment of either player.

Pittsburgh beat the Bengals once despite Burrow carving out three touchdowns. It would be asking a lot to count on surviving the same problems again. Everette doesn't need to become a full-time starter Sunday to justify his draft selection. He might only need a handful of important snaps, exactly when the Steelers can least afford another mismatch.

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