Pittsburgh Review

When the Steelers released veteran cornerback Anthony Averett last week, it left veterans Donte Jackson and Cameron Sutton as the only corners on the roster with more than three seasons of NFL experience. Sutton, signed this offseason, is suspended for the first eight games of the 2024 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The Steelers are hoping that "The Kids are Alright," as they enter their third and final preseason game Saturday at Detroit. They have 11 cornerbacks still on their roster; eight have two or fewer years of NFL experience. The outlier besides Jackson and Sutton is slot corner Thomas Graham Jr., a third-year player with just 11 games of NFL experience.

"Hey, it's my job to coach them," said Steelers defensive backs coach Grady Brown. "So we've got to do what we've got to do."

Brown acknowledged some benefits to working with younger players: "It's always exciting. You know, the thing with youth is energy, it's excitement, it's athleticism... There are some advantages that come along with experience... but there are some advantages that come along with youth."

Joey Porter Jr., heading into his second NFL season, is considered a starter. Corey Trice Jr. and Darius Rush are also in their second seasons but finishing off their first preseasons with the Steelers. Trice suffered a torn ACL early in training camp last season, while Rush was acquired from Kansas City's practice squad after being released by Indianapolis.

Porter is obviously a starter, but Trice and Rush are listed as top backups to him and Jackson. Rookie Beanie Bishop is listed as the team's top nickel corner, while fellow rookie Ryan Watts has played both strong safety and corner during training camp.

"They look like they have the physical tools to get it," said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "I always try to look at some guys – it may be a veteran guy that's ahead of them now – but I'm thinking down the line... where is this guy going to be?"

Given the team's moves throughout this preseason, coaching staff must feel confident about these young players' development.

Brown and Austin have been careful not to overload these young players by asking them to perform too many different roles. For example, Bishop has focused solely on playing in the slot while Trice and Rush have stayed largely on the outside.

Once cutdowns happen, however, this might change as having versatile players would provide better roster flexibility on game days.

At 6-foot-3, Trice doesn't necessarily profile as a slot cornerback due to lateral movement requirements; at 5-foot-9 Bishop has speed but perhaps not size for boundary play against bigger receivers. Watts and Rush might be capable of playing inside if needed given their build.

"It's something we'll look at if they make the 53-man roster," Austin noted about moving young players around positions without overloading them mentally.

In other news:

• Mike Tomlin's decision to play regulars in Saturday's preseason finale contrasts with many teams' approach of resting starters entirely during preseason games.

Per Warren Sharp's data analysis: Preseason scoring averages just 15.6 points per game—the lowest mark in seven seasons.

Tomlin’s decision aims at preparing an entirely new offense featuring three all-new quarterbacks before facing Atlanta Falcons on Sept 8th—whose new quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn’t played any preseason downs yet.

• Russell Wilson praised Broderick Jones despite struggles against Buffalo Bills highlighting leadership qualities valued by Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We all know how great Broderick Jones is," Wilson said adding further praise despite rough performance showcasing supportive team dynamics within franchise culture.

• For third consecutive year ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell predicts regression for Pittsburgh Steelers citing analytical reasoning behind expectations despite previous inaccuracies regarding similar predictions which proved wrong each time previously made concerning same team under head coach Mike Tomlin whose squads consistently defied odds winning despite adversities faced including injuries among key players such as T.J Watt Cam Heyward Minkah Fitzpatrick etcetera finding ways securing victories through marginal gains instead

Barnwell admits potential error possibility acknowledging recent history favoring contrary outcomes suggesting mixed likelihood depending factors involved overall

•NFL ownership scheduled special meeting next week discussing pending issues notably dynamic kickoff rules reviewing full preseason statistics drawing conclusions accordingly possibly tweaking existing regulations ensuring intended effects achieved rather than unintended consequences arising thereof

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