Steelers' Best 5 Free Agent Options To Complete 2024 Cornerback Puzzle

The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed multiple roster needs during the 2024 NFL Draft. Omar Khan, Andy Weidl, and Mike Tomlin added Troy Fautanu at tackle, Zach Frazier at center, and Mason McCormick at guard to bolster the offensive line. The Steelers also added wide receiver Roman Wilson and inside linebacker Payton Wilson in the third round in what is being hailed as one of the best draft classes in 2024 by multiple draft gurus. 

The Steelers had four significant needs coming into the draft: tackle, center, wide receiver, and cornerback. They aggressively attacked the first three needs and potentially found multiple starters. Khan waited until the final Steelers' pick of the 2024 NFL Draft to select a cornerback, Ryan Watts, from the University of Texas, to address the defensive backfield. Watts projects more as a safety than a cornerback in the NFL however, and the Steelers also added Beanie Bishop as an undrafted free agent from the West Virginia Mountaineers. 

Teryl Austin's proven NFL cornerback options on the roster are Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. The Steelers hope that second-year players Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr. can meaningfully contribute in 2024. Still, Khan will likely have to make a trade or sign one of these top five remaining free agent cornerbacks to bolster the position. 

1) Stephon Gilmore

The former NFL Defensive Player Of The Year will be 34 in September. Pittsburgh got burned when they signed Patrick Peterson as a starting cornerback in 2023, and if anyone but Khan made the decision, it could scare a lesser general manager off of older cornerbacks in the twilight of their careers. Despite his age, Stephon Gilmore maintained a high level of play in 2023. 

He is no longer capable of being the top cornerback on a roster for 17 games, but according to Pro Football Focus, he was still graded as the 35th-best cornerback in the NFL in 2023. The Steelers will not ask him to lock down the opponent's best receiver, and he could deliver excellent results in what might be the swan song of a decorated career that will land him in Canton when he hangs up his cleats. 

2) Xavien Howard

The Miami Dolphins signed Xavien Howard to a five-year contract in 2022. They released him on March 13th, just two years into the deal. Howard is a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback and is just one year removed from his last selection. The Dolphins had 25 million reasons to cut him. Perhaps no position on the football field ages like cornerback, and Howard will turn 31 before the 2024 season starts.

Howard's play declined from stellar in previous seasons to above-average in 2023. The Steelers would be a good fit for Howard and would not expect him to fill the top cornerback role. He fits the current Pittsburgh archetype for cornerbacks. Howard is 6'1" and still a solid press corner who might have a little more to give before he retires. 

3) JC Jackson

JC Jackson was a very good cornerback for the New England Patriots from 2018 to 2021. After being selected to his first Pro Bowl and named a Second Team All-Pro, the former undrafted free agent decided to cash in with the Los Angeles Chargers and signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract. Jackson grabbed the bag, and the story looked like it would have a happy ending. It didn't.