The Pittsburgh Steelers just wrapped up mandatory minicamp, and we are now in the middle of the moot point where there is no football activity of any kind until training camp. Free agents have been signed, rookies drafted. Now, all we can do is wait, theorize and gauge what the team will look like heading into training camp and the season.
One position group that is polarizing heading towards the season is the secondary, specifically the cornerback room. The Steelers retained Ahkello Witherspoon, who they acquired in a trade last training camp right before the season. They also signed Levi Wallace from the Buffalo Bills. Aside from that, they have all the same faces, sans Joe Haden, their defacto leader the past several seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon (#25) warms up at Heinz Field in 2021. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
It is a young group, but one largely familiar with each other. They have veteran Cam Sutton, and second year man Arthur Maulet in the group as well. Both of these guys have starting experience in this line up, and have been productive in their tenures as Steelers.
The group last year was actually more productive than a lot of people were led to believe. They finished ninth in passing yards allowed and completion percentage. They accrued 15 interceptions, a drop off from the prior two seasons in which they led the league with 18 in 2020 and was second in the league with 20. Not a bad year by any means.
Witherspoon had a big half in 2021 as well. He came on strong in Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings in which he had 2 interceptions and was part of what was almost one of the biggest comebacks in team history. He finished the season with 3 interceptions and cemented himself in a starting role for the team going forward. Sutton has also been productive in his time as a Steeler. He has accrued 4 interceptions and a forced fumble. He has mainly seen time in the slot, and often fought former Steeler Mike Hilton for playing time until last season in which Hilton departed in free agency.
Wallace is a four-year starter coming from Buffalo. He put together a strong campaign there, after being a walk on at the University of Alabama. He amassed 6 interceptions and 30 passes defended, and was a key part for a Buffalo defense that was the top passing defense in the league last season.
Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace celebrates his interception during an NFL game against the New York Jets on Nov. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Do the Steelers have a true CB1?
The team has a much easier schedule this season, and while none of these guys stand out as a true number 1 shutdown cornerback, I believe a group effort of this kind of production can easily replicate the success that the team had last year, if not improve upon it. Witherspoon and Wallace will likely get the starting nods, with Sutton slotting in at nickel. Maulet will likely serve in a backup role player capacity. They also have All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and veteran Terrell Edmunds backing them.
Put all this together and there’s no reason to think this group can’t be at least a top 15 unit again, and possibly even better. They will have to gel, and someone will have to step up to fill the void Haden left behind, but with the youth and athleticism there, this secondary can be one that gives quarterback headaches in the 2022 season.
What are your thoughts of the secondary heading into the regular season? Click to comment below.
#SteelerNation
