It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. His lack of top end speed prevents his ability to consistently survive in 1v1 matchups against the leagues top X receivers. Pierres best traits at the moment are his raw speed, physicality, and ability as a tackler. He put some great reps on tape this past season both defending opponents screen game as well as in crack/replace situations off the edge. 2022 NFL draft: The top 11 quarterbacks Gallery 2022 NFL draft: A three-round mock as the dust settles and the draft approaches View 105 photos 1 Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cincinnati (Katie. Maulets strength, physicality, quick trigger ability, and ability to evade oncoming blockers in the backfield are his best traits and the reason that he still has a home in the league. Keep in mind that the cornerback position has a steep learning curve, hence why some of the 2022 NFL Draft 's promising rookies didn't make the cut. He has also seen his yards per carry dip 2 straight years, from 3.9 down to 3.3 and 2.7. Williams spent time as arguably the NFL's best pure nose tackle, from about 2014 to 2017, when he devoured running backs on a weekly basis in the middle of the Ravens vaunted defensive line. Melvin appeared in four games for Wisconsin in 2022, totally two passes defended . The team also worked out cornerbacks Tim Harris and Chris Westry, per Pro Football Networks Aaron Wilson. 3-Below Average After snagging 11 interceptions in 16 games for. When he is at his Nickel spot, he functions nearly as effectively as an overhang linebacker, and has shown quickness blitzing off the edge to hit and hurry quarterbacks as well. Witherspoon has solid hips for the position, particularly for a player with a lengthy frame. He simply does not possess the speed to carry receivers vertically if he does not get hands before they declare downfield. With Sutton struggling playing on the outside, the team turned to late training camp competition and traded for Ahkello Witherspoon to step into the starting lineup. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. While the zone coverage was certainly better than what he put on film in man coverage, Maulet has a tendency to drift in zone coverage and lacks the necessary patience or length to occupy intermediate throwing windows well enough. Maulets notable lack of speed and hip mobility prevent him from functioning effectively in man coverage, making him unplayable on obvious passing downs. Wallaces overall measurable skills, namely his speed and play strength are the largest limitations to his game at this juncture of his career. Maulet clocked a 4.62 40 time at the NFL combine, a number that is reflected pretty closely in his game speed. He will need to adopt a quick memory in order to survive at cornerback in the NFL, one of the toughest and most tumultuous positions in all of sports. Naturally, he struggles when receivers with a strength advantage are able to get into his chest and get their momentum moving downfield. He is a long strider who picks up his speed downfield, but receivers who can separate at the line of scrimmage can give him some trouble on routes that attack him vertically. He has served in a variety of coverage assignments on the boundary, showing great ability to clue quarterbacks and stay in phase to contest quick game as well as keep routes in front of him downfield and capitalize on overthrows. Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans stands on the field during an NFL football team practice in Eagan, Minn., Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. If you like what you see on this site, we now have an ad-free option available for a donation of $25 per year, and you can enjoy the site entirely ad-free! That being said, when given safety help, Wallace is able to stay patient and undercut routes, where he is at his best. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. He also does a solid job of evading blocks with quickness in space when closing downhill against screen game concepts. He played two with the 49ers in 2020 and one game with the Cleveland Browns in 2021, where he finished with one tackle. It all comes down to what you think they should do with Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon. All that being said, he is still a great open field tackler which helps give him value in tackling the catch on checkdowns. Game status report: Steelers minus 2 cornerbacks vs Saints Curt Popejoy November 11, 2022 3:27 pm ET The debut of new Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Jackson III will have to wait.. JALEN RAMSEY, LOS ANGELES RAMS We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. October 11, 2022. Witherspoon made the most of his audition, leading the team in interceptions throughout the 2021 season. During the bye week, the Steelers acquired cornerback William Jackson III from the Washington Commanders right before the NFL. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Given his inability to function at a playable level in this facet of his game, Maulet remains a niche player who excels in the small pockets in which he is playable. The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 regular season is rolling on. His lack of speed ultimately makes him largely unplayable on obvious passing downs, limiting his usage as a player. In zone coverage, Witherspoon has shown great ability to range hash to sideline in Cover 3 assignments, where his length makes it tough for quarterbacks to fit balls into tight windows. All of that and more below. His above average hip fluidity allows him to be particularly effective in his weave pedal, where he can quickly break even when not square to the line of scrimmage. Headlined by J.C. Jackson, Carlton Davis, Stephon Gilmore, and Darious Williams, there is a strong top end of the market, as well as some impressive depth. Things changed quickly for the Steelers corners. J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots. . In man coverage, he does a great job of keeping his eyes on the receiver out of his breaks to close ground quickly and contest the catch point. The Washington Huskies cornerback is a self-described "film junkie" and projects to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pierre is a solid athlete with good, if not great hips for the position. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Texas A&M cornerback Jaylon Jones will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. There is no specific ranking here, as all three are essentially in the same spot right now. When aligned in the slot, Sutton has shown a great ability to execute his run reads before expanding to the flat and baiting quarterbacks into costly throws, occupying intermediate throwing windows and rallying to tackle checkdowns well short of the sticks. With a month before contracts officially expire, and the new league year begins, the Steelers will need to start game planning their future. The 2022. Similarly, he does a great job of remaining steady play to play, making up for any mistakes he makes by staying locked in and ready to make impact plays as the game continues. Anthony McFarland barely saw the field in his 2nd season. Even then, the team may opt for a veteran if they need a starter due to an injury to someone else. Bryon Cook @5ive_for_siix Aug 10, 2022, 10:00 AM EDT Light Mode These are the top 30 CB rankings heading into the start of the 2022 NFL season. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. 2-Poor The options are available this offseason, and there are some good options still on their own roster which they may be able to salvage. NFL franchises are paying an increased premium to secure the services of high-end pass-catchers and the market has been completely flipped on its head this offseason. Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon speaks at a news conference during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, May 6, 2022. While he can get overpowered once an oncoming blocker is able to get into his chest, he rarely allows that to happen due to his quick recognition ability. This team has to stop being cheap at this position and truly commit to making it better. While he is a top level athlete by NFL standards, his hip mobility allows him to make smooth transitions with no wasted steps, helping mitigate his lack of top end speed. While this limits his usage and makes him a niche package player, he is good enough at what he does well that he will continue to impact the game even on a limited snap count. Maulet has shown the ability to contort his body to evade oncoming blockers both in the box and in the open field. As I touched upon, Suttons tackling has steadily improved in his time in Pittsburgh, improving his technique, physicality, and decisiveness as a tackler. If he is on the roster in 2022, he can likely continue to help the team deploy their Nickel package on obvious run downs, where his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield will always be an asset. Two of these players are undrafted rookies and the other is a veteran with 65 career NFL snaps. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. While never a position of true strength, the Steelers have had a relatively consistent group there in recent seasons. December 4, 2022 7:09 pm CT. Aggies cornerback Jaylon Jones announced on Sunday that he will in fact enter the 2023 NFL Draft, ending his time with Texas A&M after three seasons as a starter, and having one of his best years at the position during the 2022 season. In split field coverages, the Steelers would be wise to have Wallace travel to the passing strength, where he will have more help from his safeties. As the start of my new offseason series, I will give grade evaluation sheets for the Steelers defensive back room, similar to those one would receive from a coaching staff at the conclusion of the season. In off man coverage, he has shown great situational awareness and the innate ability to play the sticks on third down and jump routes. Whittaker has the most NFL experience with nine games played in his career, all coming with Arizona. Despite this, Haden still had a very cerebral and productive season in 2021. Think of all the flops the Steelers have had at this position group over the years, and those types of moves are ones the team cannot afford to make this offseason. 4: Miami Dolphins - Xavien Howard, Byron Jones. As he is not the best athlete at the position, Wallace relies heavily on his ability to key quarterbacks and use his advanced route recognition skills. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Some at LSU believe he checked out on his team the past two years. Harris was a sixth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, and he has played three career NFL games. 1-Not Acceptable. A Wisconsin cornerback enters the transfer portal. We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. (Ward just this offseason signed a five-year, $100 million extension . In this installment of the 2022 Roster Breakdown, we will address the. Top 10 Cornerbacks in the NFL 2022. If you play cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you get the benefit of playing coverage behind the best pass rush in the NFL. In this series we will look at every position group of the Pittsburgh Steelers and what the team will do with the players that were on the 2021 roster, and how they should rebuild the spots heading into the 2022 season! Similarly, when ducking and boxing oncoming blockers, Maulet is more than able to hold his own against oncoming lineman who are often double his size. While he is not at his best when blockers are able to engage and get into his body, his ability to trigger quickly and beat blockers to the spot often mitigates these concerns. I think that addition comes here at corner and one of the names that keeps getting stuck in my mind is former New England Patriots cornerback, JC Jackson. Age and injury are certainly starting to creep up on one of the best corners the game has seen in the 20th century. The Steelers will look to return to the playoffs in the first year of the post Big Ben era During the offseason leading up to the 2022 season, the ridiculous notion that Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was overrated had to be addressed. Cornerback has become one of the more important positions in the new pass-happy NFL. Steelers activate kicker Chris Boswell for Week 14 vs. the Ravens. Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart: The official depth chart of the Pittsburgh Steelers Breaking down every Steelers position group before we hit free agency. The Steelers cornerbacks have been an unstable position in recent years, and its time the organization to lock some of their own free agents and players outside of the organization down to. Physicality is one of his defining traits as a player. Likewise, it is clear on film that he does not trust his speed and is forced to open the gate prematurely. Gambling problem? Top NFL CB duo no. 90-81) at Nos. NFL Cornerback Rankings 2022 NFL Season Long FTN's Bryon Cook ranks his top 30 cornerbacks in the league heading into the 2022 NFL season. Falcons cornerback A.J. On reps he's right and on, Stingley is an eraser. From breaking up passes to tackling receivers, the best NFL cornerbacks play an important role on the field. Jalen Ramsey, CB Los Angeles Rams 2021 Cornerback Rank: 2 2021 Top 200 Rank: 19 2. More importantly, even when in phase, he has not shown the ability to play the catch point effectively. Cameron Suttons best trait in evading oncoming blockers is his ability to trigger quickly and beat them to a spot. Because of that, there are effectively 96 "starting" cornerback spots in the NFL today and there are certainly some teams built better at that position than others. Too often, Pierre would turn to locate the football too early, allowing receivers to drift away from him downfield for uncontested receptions on deep balls. But who do they keep and who do they go after? He has shown the ability to excel in press man coverage matchups where his patience and length allow him to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage before using his long speed to carry receivers and squeeze them into the sideline downfield. NFL Draft profile scouting report for Louisiana Tech CB Myles Brooks. They've got to be quick, powerful, and fearsome. 89, 87 and 82, respectively. In 2019, Porter, the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter Sr., saw action in four matchups as a true freshman. He will drop his head on contact at times, but overall, his technique is solid as a tackler. Tier 1: Elite 1. Embed from Getty Images 66.8. His speed and physicality should continue to make him effective on special teams, where he first caught my eye during the 2020 season. A physical defender, Gordon is a versatile corner who can play both outside and inside. While it may not end up being Jackson as the free agent signing, I am predicting the Steelers looking to spend money at this position. Despite playing only four games last season due to a shoulder injury, Jaire Alexander has proven to be one of the best with the Packers, and his call-up to the Pro-Bowl in 2020 proves it. 2022 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Likewise, his man coverage is most effective in the slot, where his ability in off man coverage is an asset. See the full player roster for the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. After entering the league as a somewhat lackluster tackler, Sutton has become a far more physical player, to the point where he now excels in defending opponents screen game and tackling in the open field. He needs to continue to get more physical as a player, but I thought he made great strides in that department this past season. In coverage, particularly in man, Maulet can get caught playing with high eyes, leaving him susceptible to head fakes from opposing receivers. NFL free agency 2022: Best cornerbacks available ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Stephon Gilmore #9 of the Carolina Panthers catches a pass before a game against the Buffalo Bills at. 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart for all positions. Mentally, Wallace does a great job of having short term memory and making plays to erase his mistakes, just as he did with a game sealing interception against Pittsburgh in 2020 after giving up a touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes celebrates after a fumble by Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. If not, I still think the Steelers need to bring in a number of new names to this group, and on contracts which will keep them together for a few years into the future. Buy Steelers Tickets. Naturally, given his lack of top end athleticism, leaving him on an island in man coverage always comes with the risk of him being beaten over the top by speedier receivers. Maulet collected five tackles for a loss this past season playing purely in a limited sub package role, adding plenty more at or around the line of scrimmage. Tackling was one of the biggest weaknesses in Witherspoons game exiting college and has continued to be a struggle at the NFL level. His makeup speed when beaten both vertically and laterally was noticeable this past season. Pittsburgh Steelers player information and depth chart order. With the loss the Steelers tried to replace them with Cameron Sutton, who was already on the roster, and Arthur Maulet was the man primed to take the slot corner roll once held by Hilton. Could we see one of these options become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL this offseason? Mel Blount (Steelers) During his fourteen-year career that culminated with a Hall of Fame induction, Blount struck fear in the hearts of receivers. Steelers CB #10-#8 Quite frankly, it would be unfair to rank the Steelers bottom of the roster cornerbacks individually as all three have, essentially, no track record in the NFL and have. He clocked at a 4.45 40 time at the combine, a number which is pretty true to his game speed. As a tackler, Arthur Maulet is quick and decisive when triggering downhill and has both great physicality and technique at the point of contact. Nick Farabaugh. Always heralded as an extremely high IQ player, Sutton does a great job of keying opposing quarterbacks in zone coverage and feeling route distribution from receivers in front of him. When coming downhill, Sutton has solid hit power and can make receivers earn tough yardage. Last season in Pittsburgh, he served as the teams nickel cornerback on run downs, where his ability to knife past oncoming blockers in the box and make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage helped replace some of what the team lost in Mike Hilton. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Despite being a lengthier cornerback in stature, Wallace has noticeably fluid hips on film, allowing him to effectively transition to carry receivers downfield in press coverage as well as transition out of his crossover run in zone coverage assignments. The 2021 season marked the departures of starting cornerbacks Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton. During Weeks 13 and 14 of the 2022 NFL season, Steelers players are showcasing their chosen charitable cause on their game cleats 1 / 79 Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) will showcase his custom cleats supporting Breast Cancer Awareness during Weeks 13 and 14. Steelers worked out Jace Whittaker, Tim Harris and Chris Westry, Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 15, 2022. As is Stingley's almost unprecedented top-20 cornerback profile of scant on-field success since his true freshman year. Joe Haden was tasked at lining up at his typical outside corner position once again for the Steelers in 2021, and the results varied. 5 Things to Know: Charvarius Ward. While his quick jams at the line of scrimmage are able to stun receivers, he often absorbs the brunt of the impact when closing downhill as a tackler. Cameron Sutton is one of the best zone coverage defenders in the Steelers secondary, capable of handling a wide menu of coverage assignments. 8. But what do you think? Odds & lines subject to change. 10: Philadelphia Eagles - Darius Slay, James Bradberry Best Day 2 Cornerbacks in 2022 NFL Draft Justin Melo April 19, 2022 Cornerbacks carry a monumental amount of importance in today's pass-happy league. He would be best served in the future to use his speed advantage to attack blocks in space and try to stack oncoming blockers before they can make contact. When keying the snap against the run, Maulet has a great feel for jumping the snap count and quickly knifing into the backfield. Jones came to Texas A&M in 2020 . We noticed your adblocker is on. Kyler Gordon, Washington We start with one of two Washington defenders to make the list, Kyler Gordon. It is very unlikely the Steelers keep both players, but I think there could be space for both of them yet. His most valuable skill is his ability to remain patient in his zone coverage assignments and contest all three levels of the field, waiting to bail until his cushion is threatened vertically. Among our top 10 CBs, seven were first-round selections, and one was a second-rounder. Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem? This group is minus its best . Top NFL CB duo no. In zone coverage assignments, he does a solid job of keying quarterbacks and triggering once the pin is pulled on check down throws. While none of these names are terribly exciting, they all have NFL experience and could fill a role for the Steelers if absolutely needed. We noticed your adblocker is on. While he is more than willing to get physical in the run game, his lack of weight and top end play strength will cause runners to fall forward on contact at times when they are able to turn upfield before contact is made. In Cover 2, Witherspoon can similarly occupy intermediate throwing windows and force checkdowns before rallying to tackle the catch. Joe Haden (UFA)Ahkello Witherspoon (UFA)Cam Sutton (1-Year $5.2 Million)James Pierre (1-Year $898K)Justin Layne (1-Year $1.19 Million)Arthur Maulet (UFA). In his zone coverage assignments, he did a great job of cluing opposing quarterbacks 3 and 5 step drops to stay in phase to contest quick game concepts, particularly against the Browns in Week 16, where he broke up multiple stop routes from his deep assignment in Cover 3. This is another position where I think the Steelers should look into bringing in a veteran with the salary cap space they have available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. They did add Richard Sherman in 2018, but he was a veteran coming off . The corners haven't received as much coverage as the other positions in the NFL draft. Particularly in the teams single high, Cover 3 shells, Wallace does a great job of ranging from the hash to the sideline and taking advantage of underthrown balls to generate takeaways. He's now officially listed as a cornerback on the team roster and has the in roads to being on the final 53. PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers are now limited at cornerback in Week 13 as Levi Wallace left in the first half because of an undisclosed injury. AJ Terrell, CB Atlanta Falcons 2021 Cornerback Rank: NR 2021 Top 200 Rank: NR 4. The Steelers are playing the Ravens in Week 14. J.C. Jackson went undrafted in 2018, but after four years with the New England Patriots, he's become one of the most talented defensive backs in the league. Ahkello Witherspoon is undeniably the teams most capable man coverage defender in the secondary entering the 2022 season. The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and the pro day circuit is in full swing, which means it's time to take an updated look at our prospect rankings for the 2022 NFL draft. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. When teams were able to isolate him in man coverage assignments from the slot, he was rarely in phase to contest the catch point, possessing neither the patience or burst to stay with receivers out of their breaks. That being said, his slight frame keeps him nimble and athletic for his size, which in my opinion, outweighs the drawbacks of his lacking play strength. The 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch haven't made a ton of big splashes at cornerback. This is honestly a brutal question, in my opinion. In man coverage, Pierre flashed some great reps early in the season, particularly in off coverage where his click and close ability shines. 7-Very Good Likewise, he works best as a field cornerback, working to the passing strength where his limitations are hidden, likely leaving Ahkello Witherspoon to serve as the teams top boundary cornerback in split field coverages. in his opening statement, Jones professed his love for the 12th Man and the . His eye discipline allows him to close on receivers from out of phase before turning to locate the football and contesting the catch point. Additionally, if you'd like to donate above and beyond the ad-free option, you can donate via PayPal as well. In zone coverage, Pierre has great range and has shown the ability to work from the hashes to the sidelines. December 07, 2022. Westry has experience in the AFC North, as he spent time with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, totaling 12 tackles and three passes defended in six games, including two starts. The team would be best served to roll coverages away from him and allow him to thrive in isolated 1v1 matchups with opposing teams X receivers, maximizing his skillset and value within the defense. Additionally, if you'd like to donate above and beyond the ad-free option, you can donate via PayPal as well. With that said, who are the best cornerbacks in league history? San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is currently in his fifth NFL season. Starting with Xavien Howard, who simply doesn't get the type of recognition he should as one of the best defensive players in the game today. There were definitely moments of struggle, but there are ways to use Haden to his strengths and keep him in the league for years to come. He is still susceptible to getting dragged for extra yardage when ball carriers are able to turn upfield before contact and struggles to disengage from blockers once they are able to get into his chest. Quite frankly, it would be unfair to rank the Steelers bottom of the roster cornerbacks individually as all three have, essentially, no track record in the NFL and have long odds to contribute to the final squad. Benny Snell returns as the primary backup and says he has slimmed down. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel) AP. Cameron Sutton has done a magnificent job of showing his versatility in his time in Pittsburgh, playing on the boundary, in the slot, as a dimebacker, and even occasionally at the safety position. Which teams have the top cornerback duos in the NFL heading into 2022? 2022 Outlook This all depends on the usage of Wallace, Witherspoon and Sutton. He has great speed, instincts, and awareness for Green Bay's defense, which should have a really solid year in 2022. On Tuesday morning, Semar Melvin announced his decision to take his two years of eligibility elsewhere. Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates after a tackle during the first quarter of the game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. While it is not rare speed for the position, working in tandem with his 63 frame and 33 arms, it makes it extremely difficult for receivers to separate from him vertically. Jaire Alexander, CB Green Bay Packers 2021 Cornerback Rank: 1 2021 Top 200 Rank: 16 3. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Wallaces physicality and instincts in zone coverage are undeniably his best traits. The cornerback free agent options in the 2022 NFL offseason have some superb options available. By. Mullen played in 40 games over four seasons with the Hoosiers. ESPNs long-time NFL Draft expert thinks the Steelers could surprise some people in the 2023 NFL Draft Distribution Map: Check out if you will get to see the Steelers vs. Ravens game. That being said, in Week 13 against Baltimore, Witherspoon did a great job of not only tackling with proper technique, but finishing through ball carriers and pass catchers with physicality. While he is capable in press man coverage, particularly adept in his mirror technique, Suttons lack of ideal top end speed limits his ceiling in that facet of his game. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onPittsburgh Steelers and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. In off coverage, Sutton is extremely smooth in his pedal, breaks efficiently, and does a great job of matching the tempo of opposing receivers to stay in phase at all three levels of the field. Examining the Steelers potential path to the playoffs. As of this writing, here is a compiled ranking of all ten of the Steelers cornerbacks currently on the roster. The 2022 NFL Draft is just a week away from kicking off in Las Vegas, and with time winding down on this cycle, it feels appropriate to release my cornerback rankings for this upcoming class.. The Steelers hosted three wide receivers and two cornerbacks for visits on Tuesday as they try to reconfigure their practice squad and deal with injuries at the cornerback position. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Tariq Woolen | Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners. The defense must get better at cornerback, and they must do it right here in 2022. Check out the other position previews below: * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). As a run defender, Wallace thrives inserting off the edge in crack/replace situations, where he attacks with proper angles and forces backs to stop their feet where he can attack and finish through their near hip. Maulets stiff hips make it extremely tough for him to transition downfield and carry receivers vertically, as was exposed late in a road game against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. He has a great understanding of route concepts and does a great job of baiting throws before closing on them to make impact plays. He came into the game listed as questionable . Moreover, I did not include the teams UDFA pair in Bryce Watts and Chris Steele, as they do not have any NFL film at the moment. A 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect who was second among all cornerbacks with a time of 4.26 in the 40-yard dash and led his position group with a 42-inch vertical leap at the NFL Scouting Combine could be an appealing pick for teams that fall in love with dynamic athletes. 4-Average Age: 26. With that in mind, former NFL quarterback David. Over his four seasons at IU, Mullen totaled 144 tackles, nine tackles for . His ability as a tackler helps limit YAC and explosive plays on receptions in both man and zone coverage assignments. He is routinely able to stay square and patient at the line of scrimmage before opening to carry receivers vertically while staying connected to their hip. While he's been on the. Simply put, Maulets inability to stay with receivers in man coverage is the primary reason why he was taken off the field on passing downs. Follow me @walterfootball for updates. Raw speed is one of James Pierres best traits. 8-Excellent Pittsburgh is clearly looking to add some depth in the secondary, as the team has worked out a number of corners in recent weeks, including Troy Pride Jr. With William Jackson III needing to spend time on injured reserve, as well as Ahkello Witherspoon dealing with an injury, its possible the team just wants some extra depth in case they deal with further injuries at the position. Until he is able to comfortably and legally contest the catch point downfield from a trailing position, he will not be playable as a boundary cornerback in the NFL. He brings physicality, high level communication, and playmaking ability to the Steelers defense, where he should help generate turnovers in zone coverage assignments. In terms of physical toughness, he increasingly showed more of an ability to take shots in the run game and tackle after the catch, an area where he had struggled mightily throughout the early portion of his career. The Pittsburgh Steelers knew going into the 2022 season that they had a steep hill to climb if they wanted to be playing playoff football in January. His ability to diagnose and trigger quickly allows him to put himself in position to use angles to his advantage and slide past oncoming blockers, particularly in the box. Pittsburgh Steelers news fromFanSided Daily, Steelers dont get a shot to select T.J. Watt in total NFL re-draft, Browns went through a lifetime of QBs during the Ben Roethlisberger era, 4 most controversial Pittsburgh Steelers players entering 2022 season, AL MVP Best Bets | Daily BetSlip Picks A Side In Close AL MVP Race, The Steelers-Patriots rivalry wont see the dip we anticipated, 5 Steelers who could become superstars in the 2022 season. 1. The Miami Dolphins might have the most underrated top cornerback duo in the NFL today. His trust in his hip mobility also allows him to play effectively in a half turn from off man coverage, where he will seal off the inside, forcing throws outside of the numbers where he trusts his burst to recover and contest the catch point. There are a lot of new and unproven faces amongst this group though. Since 1987, the Steelers have only drafted two players represented by the team at cornerback as an All-Pro or Pro Bowler: Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake.The only cornerback to represent them in the Pro Bowl since then has been Joe Haden, who signed as a free agent in 2017.The best CB since was easily Ike Taylor and although he did not garner Pro Bowl recognition, he was the top CB for two Super . The team could thrive in Cover 3 this upcoming season with a tandem of Witherspoon and Levi Wallace operating opposite of each other. Player ratings with position rankings. In off coverage, he does a great job of keying quarterbacks drops(3 step quick game vs 5 step deep drop) to stay in phase and contest quick game concepts. Suttons largest overarching weakness which prevents him from being a top tier corner on the boundary is his lack of top end long speed, which prevents him from thriving in press coverage against the games top receivers. He is an athletic cornerback that primarily wins with his advantage in speed and ability to close to the catch point from out of phase. Wallace left in the second quarter after. Given his slight frame hes always going to be more of a drag down tackler, susceptible to ceding extra yards to larger framed players. Particularly in flat zone assignments, Wallace does a great job of forcing checkdowns before braking downhill and putting ball carriers on the ground with violent sticks. By The NFL Draft Bible Dec 10, 2022 2:00 PM EST. When he is able to keep things in front of him, he does a good job of breaking with vision and contesting the catch point. When driving routes in zone coverage, Wallace finishes through receivers bodies with violent contact to make them secure tough catches. Steelers remove injury status for all questionable players in Week 14. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. As we reported earlier today, the Pittsburgh Steelers worked out former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jace Whittaker. Stingley has the physical package, athleticism, sweet feet, and coverage chops to be an NFL star. 5. Asher Low. Writer for Steelers.com, Teresa Varley released a piece Friday morning touching on Wallace's first year with the team and the new bond that [] The three wide receivers are Taysir Mack, Ja'Marcus Bradley, and Josh Malone. The Post's Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 cornerbacks in this year's NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league: 1. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Let's take a look at the top 10. February 20, 2022 6:00 am PT. As Pierre is still a young developing cornerback, getting his first extensive playing time on defense this past season, his eye discipline was not where it needed to be. While he is still susceptible to some misses in the open field and can cede extra yardage to larger framed ball carriers, Suttons ability as an open field tackler is a strength of his came at this stage of his career. Since entering the league, Ward has appeared in 67 games over four seasons . The Texas A&M sustained a major loss on Sunday as physical junior cornerback Jaylon Jones announced he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. The NFL's top cornerbacks in 2022 were primarily early draft picks. Wallace is an effective defender in man coverage, showing a solid ability to mirror his opponents in press coverage and disrupt them with physical jams. Simply put, James Pierre needs to improve his eye discipline in both man and zone coverage, as well as his ball skills to contest at the catch point. 2022 Banjo 2022 Bethel 2022 Brewer 2022 Brinkley 2022 Cox 2022 Davis 2022 Gilmore 2022 Gipson 2022 Harmon 2022 Harris 2022 Harris 2022 Harris 2022 Hayward 2022 Hyde 2022 Jackson 2022 Jansen 2022 Jefferson 2022 Mathieu 2022 McCourty . 10.-. As he does not have the ability to quickly and efficiently flip his hips, he is forced to prematurely open his hips to protect himself vertically, allowing receivers to easily cross his face working back inside. I sense the Steelers are sitting on such a salary cap surplus we could anticipate one big-name addition to come on the team this offseason. Entering 2022, he should be able to thrive in man coverage assignments which would allow Tomlin and company to be extremely creative in rolling coverages away from him. Regardless, his versatility to play man coverage both in the slot and on the boundary is an asset. After a 2-6 start, making the Wild Card Game isnt as impossible as it may appear. It would be shocking to see these players make an impact. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Thursday Night Football staged one of the greatest matchups in the NFL as Raiders wide receiver Adams went up against Rams cornerback Ramsey and the clash delivered early on in the game . Snell managed only 40 total opportunities in last year's shallow backfield. That being said, the more decisive and physical he is as a tackler the more he should continue to improve that facet of his game. The Indianapolis Colts Versus Jacksonville Jaguars On Sunday Jan 9 2022 Tiaa Bank Field In Jacksonville Fla. In the screen game, Sutton triggers quickly and comes downhill with the intent to punish receivers before they can turn upfield. Chris Banjo. Lavert Hill and Duke Dawson were the two . Tight man-to-man coverage is one of the first things you look for in a dominant cornerback. 2022 NFL slot cornerback rankings. There is a lot more depth there than along the inside, which makes their roster odds even worse. For a player of his stature, he is unique in his fearlessness coming downhill and arriving at the point of contact with violent intentions against larger ball carriers. The Pittsburgh Steelers never came around to re-signing veteran cornerback, Joe Haden, but instead were able to land former Buffalo Bills cornerback, Levi Wallace in free agency. Here are the 3 corners the Steelers must go after in the 2022 free agency: 3. Who are the best cornerbacks of 2022? Suttons best traits are undeniably his top end route recognition, versatility in both alignment and assignment, his smooth backpedal, and his ability to trigger quickly when closing downhill. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. The largest weakness in Witherspoons game is his play strength. The Browns aren't necessarily thin at cornerback, with Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II and Greedy Williams atop the depth chart. He has shown a nose for the football both in the pass game as well as forcing fumbles, where he is adept in a variety of techniques including the peanut punch. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati, 6-3, 200. While Jackson isnt the best scheme fit, his talent and familiarity with Brian Flores might be the perfect addition for the Steelers locker room. Today, we will be evaluating the teams cornerback room before pivoting to the safety position for the next article in the series. As a tackler Pierre triggers downhill quickly and arrives with physicality when engaging ball carriers at the point of contact. James Pierre showed the ability to trigger downhill and tackle effectively both on defense and as a gunner on special teams in 2021. Jalen Ramsey (LAR) And the number one cornerback heading into the 2022 season is Jalen Ramsey. When beaten across his face, Pierre has shown solid ability to utilize his speed turn, although its not something he should look to rely on too heavily as it exposes his blind spots against nuanced route runners. I think they should also consider drafting a cornerback somewhere in this draft. In zone coverage, he does a great job of breaking downhill and making receivers pay a toll on quick game receptions. Given his lack of play strength, this will likely never be a strong suit in his game, and is a weakness that opponents should be able to take advantage of through targeting him in the wide receiver screen game. Below are PFF's top 32 outside cornerbacks entering the 2022 NFL season, starting with Los Angeles Rams star Jalen Ramsey. One of the most physical cornerbacks in the entire league, plays with extreme physicality both in coverage, as well as shedding blocks and making tackles in the run game. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) In press coverage, Pierre has some solid reps but too often will allow receivers free releases at the line of scrimmage. BUFFALO The Steelers' secondary is reeling as in the span of two minutes, they lost two of their contributors at cornerback to injuries.Cam Sutton came into the game with hamstring and groin injuries and James Pierre went down in the endzone with an injury on a Buffalo touchdown.. Sutton left the game with his helmet in hand and with trainers. While he is extremely physical in the run game, Pierres overall play strength is not great at this juncture of his career. They must disrupt passing lanes, stick with speedy receivers, and win jump balls in the air. Signed with Chargers (5 years, $82.5 million) J.C. Jackson evolved into one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL this past season. Nonetheless, he seems to struggle opening into his crossover run in zone coverage. Similar to Arthur Maulet, Pierre does a great job of beating oncoming blockers in open space with speed to create angles where he can shed their blocks and free himself to make tackles. Regardless, he similarly struggles when bailing and unable to keep vision on the receiver, often drifting and allowing receivers to create downfield separation working toward the sideline. The Steelers cornerbacks have been an unstable position in recent years, and its time the organization to lock some of their own free agents and players outside of the organization down to round out their roster. In zone coverage, Wallace does a great job of allowing routes to develop and read opposing quarterbacks eyes in his drops regardless of his zone assignment. Maulets play strength is evident in his hit power as a tackler, where he routinely drives ball carriers and pass catchers backwards despite often being at a size disadvantage. Steelers must pursue Carlton Davis Carlton Davis is the starting corner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played a. In off coverage, he does a great job of slowing down his tempo and weaving laterally to contest intermediate route concepts. Finally, if you wish to not see this dialog box, please turn off your adblocker, and enjoy content normally, 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Results Tracker, 2021 NFL Pro Day Results Tracker Scouting Combine Invitees, Steelers Release Cornerback Quincy Wilson From Practice Squad, Ravens Thursday Injury Report Week 13: Several Players Added Including Humphrey, Oweh. The largest weakness of Wallaces game is his lack of top end speed, clocking a 4.63 time exiting Alabama, a time which reflects pretty closely to his current game speed. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2022. Jaire Alexander - Green Bay Packers. As he has progressed throughout his NFL career, Sutton has noticeably gained strength to where it is now an asset in his game. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Regardless of what position he is aligned at, Sutton has done a great job of being a great communicator and executing his assignments to the best of his ability. Similarly, he has the necessary strength to meet some of the leagues most powerful runners, namely Nick Chubb, in the backfield, with the power to cut them down with no opportunity to fall forward. Finally, if you wish to not see this dialog box, please turn off your adblocker, and enjoy content normally, 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Results Tracker, 2021 NFL Pro Day Results Tracker Scouting Combine Invitees, Kenny Pickett Obviously Befitting The 1st-Round Pick They Took Him With, Ravens HC Says, I Cant Believe They Traded You In-Division: Tomlin Doing His Part To Keep Wormley Motivated Against Ravens. Will you get to see it? Particularly in zone coverage, Sutton does a great job of overlapping and securing timely interceptions on overthrown balls. As I had to evaluate their film to give proper grades, I have limited the article to players who played extensive defensive snaps at the cornerback position this past season. Witherspoons speed is one of his best traits, particularly for a player of his stature. Against opponents screen game however, Pierre was extremely quick to diagnose, trigger, and beat oncoming blockers to stop ball carriers at or around the line of scrimmage. Toughness is Arthur Maulets defining trait, and a large reason why he has been able to carve out a career in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers have received good news on the injury front ahead of the Week 14 game vs. the Baltimore Ravens. The Tigers haven't had many transfer portal losses in the first two days of it officially being open, but they have seen some attrition. 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