Off Season Primer: Cornerbacks

[Steeldrama]

One positive from the 2025 season was the progress made by Joey Porter Jr. Sounds like the Steelers plan to extend him.

Lot of negatives, however.

The Minkah trade for a washed Jalen Ramsey and crappy ass Jonnu Smith didn’t work out too well.

Darius Slay SUCKED.

Band-aids.

Now that Tomlin (a former secondary coach) is gone, perhaps the Steelers can develop their first mid round corner since Ike Taylor (Some of you liked Willie Gay).

No more gawd awful Terry Hawthorne or Justin Layne picks please.

Anyway,

Joey Jr needs a running mate or two.

Let’s see what’s out there, shall we?

Free Agency:

• Jaylen Watson- Who? I know I never heard of him. Can’t say I watched a lot of Chiefs games this year since they sucked, but he’s arguably the top corner on the market.

• Alontae Taylor- Fun player for the Saints. Gambler type Tomlin would’ve neutered in 5 seconds.

• Jamel Dean- Respected veteran, but I don’t want these corners about to hit their 30s. Most don’t age like the vintage Darrell Greens of yesteryear.

• Nashon Wright- He of Last Chance U fame has played well as a nickel for the Bears.

• Cobie Durant- Feisty fella made 29 starts at various positions in the Rams meh secondary.

• Montaric Brown- Younger dude that played well as package player for Jags

• Josh Jobe- RTR. Physical corner was a key to Seahawks Super Bowl run.

• Roger McCreary- Another feisty nickel type that the Steelers might like.

• Greg Newsome- Odd swap of corners between the Browns and Jags last year.

• Eric Stokes- One of many ‘Dawgs running around the NFL. Some good, Some not so good like Stokes here. But, he did play for Pat Graham out in Vegas last season.

• Cordale Flott- Stepped up after Giants whiffed on Deonte Banks.

• Riq Woolen- Dipshit that Tomlin would’ve loved.

• Trevon Diggs- Dipshit just like his big brother.

• Artie Burns is a free agent. Ahhh good times. YOU SUCK, Tomlin!

Trade or Release Candidates:

• Denzel Ward- If I woke up with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn’t be more surprised if the Browns released this stud, but rotoblurbs are never wrong (-ish).

• LJarious Sneed- Titans grossly overpaid for this once upon time Pro Bowler for the Chiefs.

• Riley Moss- AI told me the Steelers will offer a 3rd round pick for the original stud white Iowa corner.

• Daron Bland- Once upon a time I picked this guy for B2B’s draft a team exercise and low and behold this dude was a find for the Cowboys. Record setting pick 6’s got him overpaid.

• Jaylon Johnson- Missed most of season after getting big contract from Bears

• Renardo Green- AI told me conflicts with 49ers coaches have him on the trade market (artificial intelligence is scary cool)

• Trent McDuffie- PFT article this morning stating Rams are interested

The Draft:

• Mansoor Delane LSU- Former Hokie shoulda worked out in Indy.

• Jermod McCoy Vols- Missed entire season with injury. Could slide but I don’t think he makes it to 21.

• Aveion Terrell Clemson- STFU Dabo! AJ’s smaller little brother.

• Colton Hood Vols- Physical corner wouldn’t upset me at 21 but could probably be had in a rd 1 trade down.

• Chris Johnson Aztec- My Pacific Beach days were wicked fun. San Diego State is a cool campus overlooking the valley.

• Brandon Cisse- Fast rising Cock jumped out of the gym up in Indy.

• Keith Abney Sun Devil- Versatile and feisty fella out in the desert.

• Keionte Scott Miami- Kinda of a nickel/safety type that will smack ya.

• D’Angelo Ponds National Champ- Too small for my taste, but hard to ignore a ’43.5 vert to go along with the feisty.

• Treydan Stukes Arizona- Buzzy name also a nickel/safety type.

• Malik Muhammad Texas- Dude needs to eat a sandwich but another fun leaper up in Indy.

• Julian Neal Hogs- Big, physical corner a steal in rd 3.

• Davison Igbinosun Buckeye- His DPI’s made Joey Jr blush, but Matt Patricia coached a lot of that out of him.

• Will Lee Aggies- Poor Lucas Oil needs a new roof with all these corners jumping through it.

• Daylen Everette Georgia- sub 4.4 40 is great but he and the entire bulldog secondary couldn’t track a deep ball to save their life.

• TJ Hall- The now rare black Iowa corner.

• Chandler Rivers Duke- Started 45…that’s 45…games for the Blue Devils

• Tacario Davis Huskies- Big corner followed Jedd Fisch from Arizona.

• Ephesians Prysock Huskies-Awaiting Ron approval, but another big fella out there in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

• Devin Moore Gator- “…I believe that says ‘fragile’ dear”

• Charles Demmings- Hell no I’ve never seen a Stephen F Austin game, but I do read. You can read too. Check out his combine numbers. Holy shit.

• Andre Fuller and Avery Smith Rockets- Charles Demar’s guys both gonna get drafted.

Thanks as always for reading. Please comment on the corners you like and those you don’t. JPJ needs A LOT of help back there. Hopefully the new defensive staff can help fix this mess. YOU SUCK, Tomlin!

[Charles Demarr]

These are great Drama, I've enjoyed every one of them. Thank you.

Any interest in 29 year old Marshon Lattimore? Sounds like he's going to be available as well.

[jebrick]

• Malik Muhammad Texas- Dude needs to eat a sandwich but another fun leaper up in Indy.

This is a guy I like outside the 1st. i think he will be a good one.

Julian Neal Hogs- Big, physical corner a steal in rd 3.

The other one I like outside the 1st. Help his case in Indy.

[Steeldrama]

These are great Drama, I've enjoyed every one of them. Thank you.

Any interest in 29 year old Marshon Lattimore? Sounds like he's going to be available as well.

Thanks Charles

Former Buckeyes always welcome. Hopefully Lattimore would sign on the cheap

[Steeldrama]

Snead and the Rams at it again

Said eff them picks trading their 1st (pick 29) and 2026th 5 and 6th along with a 2027 3rd for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie

[cop1211]

I like Cisse and both Vol’s.

I’m hoping they sign Romeo Dobbs and ILB Chenal go corner or the Oregon FS in the first prefer a CB.

1CB Cisse
2.WR (slot) Antonio Johnson
3a.LG Rutledge
3bFS Bud Clark
3c.SS Spears -Jennings
4a.DT (run stuffer)
4b.DE McClellen
5.WR
6a.TE Koziol
6b.RB (Gainwell clone)
7a.OLB
7b.ILB

[Ice]

Rams end up with both the Chefs' corners. We get over the hill Jamel Dean on a 3 year deal.

With now a decent amount of cap $ poured into the CB and WR buckets in FA, I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't some sort of trade-up situation in the works this draft. I don't feel like Dean and Pittman are typical "fill the hole with a JAG before the draft" signings, and those were two of the bigger holes.

Also, it seems like Mike Tomlin wasn't the only one in the organization with a thing for wrong side of their prime vets. Need to find any others with this fetish and eliminate them sooner than later.

[Charles Demarr]

Rams end up with both the Chefs' corners. We get over the hill Jamel Dean on a 3 year deal.

With now a decent amount of cap $ poured into the CB and WR buckets in FA, I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't some sort of trade-up situation in the works this draft. I don't feel like Dean and Pittman are typical "fill the hole with a JAG before the draft" signings, and those were two of the bigger holes.

Also, it seems like Mike Tomlin wasn't the only one in the organization with a thing for wrong side of their prime vets. Need to find any others with this fetish and eliminate them sooner than later.

I actually like the Dean signing, still playing at a very high level. He's not over the hill like Slay was last year. I'm guessing a safety (possibly Brisker) will still be added in free agency. Grab a corner and safety in the draft and I think the secondary could be a huge strength this year.

Porter
Dean
Samuel
Echols
Ramsey
Elliot
FA safety
Rookie x2

[Ice]

Rams end up with both the Chefs' corners. We get over the hill Jamel Dean on a 3 year deal.

With now a decent amount of cap $ poured into the CB and WR buckets in FA, I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't some sort of trade-up situation in the works this draft. I don't feel like Dean and Pittman are typical "fill the hole with a JAG before the draft" signings, and those were two of the bigger holes.

Also, it seems like Mike Tomlin wasn't the only one in the organization with a thing for wrong side of their prime vets. Need to find any others with this fetish and eliminate them sooner than later.

I actually like the Dean signing, still playing at a very high level. He's not over the hill like Slay was last year. I'm guessing a safety (possibly Brisker) will still be added in free agency. Grab a corner and safety in the draft and I think the secondary could be a huge strength this year.

Porter
Dean
Samuel
Echols
Ramsey
Elliot
FA safety
Rookie x2

B2B mentioned on McCoy from TN that we don't exactly know what Patrick Graham is looking for in a CB... maybe Dean starts, at least, to answer that question. Now, what is he looking for in a safety? Where is he going to use Jalen Ramsey? I'm interested to see this play out, for sure, and maybe Dean is a little less overbaked than some of the recent vet signings (hopefully Pittman, too), but I still don't understand what they're trying to save or stopgap with the strategy.

[jebrick]

Jamel Dean in coverage in 2025 (DB ranks), per
@NextGenStats
:

41.7 completion pct allowed (1st)
4.7 yards/target allowed (1st)
41.3 passer rating allowed (1st)
-11.9 comp pct over expected (1st)

> Minimum 60 targets

He is not bad. i think he allowed 2 TDs last year and JPJ allowed 1. If they both stay to form, I would say a massive up tick in CB talent.

[Ice]

Somebody's socials just posted a stat-graphic where Dean led the NFL in passer rating against and Porter was 3rd, so, maybe I feel better about it. I'd like it better if he was 26, but if he was 26, we couldn't have afforded him.

Maybe once we have a young core not an ancient one, I'll be a little less skeptical on the close to 30 FAs.

[jebrick]

Somebody's socials just posted a stat-graphic where Dean led the NFL in passer rating against and Porter was 3rd, so, maybe I feel better about it. I'd like it better if he was 26, but if he was 26, we couldn't have afforded him.

Maybe once we have a young core not an ancient one, I'll be a little less skeptical on the close to 30 FAs.

I would still draft one 1st or 2nd round.

[Ice]

All over the roster, youth needs served.

[bradshaw2ben]

All over the roster, youth needs served.

Yeah, they're never going to embrace the youth as long as they think they can win the Super Bowl every year.

You can tell from the signings that they weren't prioritizing youth and ascending players among FAs.

[Ice]

Not at all, and it's a complete break from the philosophy that made the team the best in the league from 1969 to Tomlin.

Your signature continues to prove true.

[Mick]

All over the roster, youth needs served.

Yeah, they're never going to embrace the youth as long as they think they can win the Super Bowl every year.

You can tell from the signings that they weren't prioritizing youth and ascending players among FAs.

more optimistically, dean and pittman were guys we brought in who wouldn’t hurt us in terms of compensatory picks.

So not actually ‘win now’ guys for a team that obviously isn’t winning anything worthwhile in 2026, but ‘compete now, while positioning for a better roster starting in 2027’ players.

[bradshaw2ben]

All over the roster, youth needs served.

Yeah, they're never going to embrace the youth as long as they think they can win the Super Bowl every year.

You can tell from the signings that they weren't prioritizing youth and ascending players among FAs.

more optimistically, dean and pittman were guys we brought in who wouldn’t hurt us in terms of compensatory picks.

So not actually ‘win now’ guys for a team that obviously isn’t winning anything worthwhile in 2026, but ‘compete now, while positioning for a better roster starting in 2027’ players.

Oh, I didn't realize Dean didn't count toward the formula. That's good.

But Dowdle and, the C/G, & Savage did (I;m genuinely asking because I'm not sure)? Even the shitty low-level FAs signed this week might still offset Seumalo, Gainwell, & and whoever else they lose. The way the formula works is stupid in that regard. You could lose three high-profile FAs, sign 3 nobodies and get zero comp picks.