The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently concluded their offseason schedule, complete with nine OTA practices and the three-day minicamp, and are currently off for about five weeks before they re-emerge in Latrobe for the start of training camp.
Not much is expected to happen between now and then as far as new goes regarding the team. Ideally, the players will simply be focused on getting in the best possible shape heading for the long haul that begins with training camp and concludes, hopefully, with a deep postseason run.
That means that the roster heading into camp should just about be set, so now during the dead time it’s worth taking a dip back into the positional depth charts to see where we stand following the offseason reports, continuing with the cornerbacks.
William Gay: It’s been an interesting nine-year journey for Gay, but right now he stands on the top of the depth chart as by far the most proven cornerback on the team. And this is only the second time in eight seasons in the Steelers in which he is slated to be a starter during the offseason process. Still, if all goes according to plan, it seems that he should get back into the slot during sub-packages this year.
Cortez Allen: Allen is a huge part of that plan, which goes without saying after his five-year contract last year. The only cornerback on the roster with any type of size at 6’1”, he fell apart last year, performing poorly enough to get benched during the team’s struggles at the position last year. He’s had some physical and mental hurdles that he needs to get over this offseason.
Antwon Blake: By the end of last season, Blake was logging some significant time as an outside corner in the nickel defense. He recorded an interception in the end zone and forced a huge fumble in the season finale that helped seal the division title. He figures to be the first off the bench this year at the start of the season.
Senquez Golson: Despite his lack of size, Golson is a very fluid and instinctive athlete with ball skills. The Steelers have been working him in the slot as well as outside, and I have a hard time imagining that he doesn’t get some playing time this year.
Doran Grant: Recognized by the team as perhaps the best tackling cornerback in this draft class, the Steelers were happy to land Grant in the fourth round. Whether or not he sees the field as a rookie, he should be an immediate contributor on special teams.
B.W. Webb: A former fourth-round draft pick, Webb was claimed off waivers just prior to the 2014 regular season by the Steelers and stayed on the roster all year, contributing some on special teams and playing just a handful of snaps on defense. He’s had a full offseason to adjust to the Steelers’ system, but he is not guaranteed a spot this year.
Kevin Fogg: signed to the practice squad as an undrafted rookie in December, Fogg has garnered a bit of attention during spring practices, which included a pick six of the team’s starting quarterback, but he remains on the outside looking in for now.
