Dre Kirkpatrick and Logan Ryan. Marcus Cooper and Brandon Flowers. Today, Davon House came and went in record time.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had interest in them all. And most have signed elsewhere, Flowers, the only exception. It’s pretty clear the team was looking to add something at cornerback in free agency and for good reason. Depth is razor thin. If you assume William Gay is the starting nickel corner if the season started right now, the team’s depth consists of Senquez Golson and Al-Hajj Shabazz.
There’s the upside: this draft class is really strong and the Steelers will certainly walk away with a good prospect. Which at this point, is probably their only option because the free agent market is drier than the Sahara.
What’s left? The top name is Morris Claiborne, a player the team has had no reported interest and may end up signing with the Baltimore Ravens. There’s still Flowers, coming off a two-concussion season. There’s Patrick Robinson, who makes sense…I guess, even if he wouldn’t inspire much confidence.
Anyone realistically in play is pretty much a dart throw; a one-year contract, maybe for the minimum, to come in and compete not for a starting spot but a roster spot in general.
It’s no surprise to see Kevin Colbert pump the brakes with the way the market has unfolded with top players like Kirkpatrick and Ryan getting $10 million per year and even a low-tier option like House netting a one-year, $3.5 million contract to make his return to Green Bay. But it felt like the one position the team could – and should – upgrade during free agency, which wouldn’t exclude them from adding in the draft either, but whiffed on bigger than the weathermen who said Pittsburgh was going to get a foot of snow.
Wake up today in the city and you’ll see only a dusting of snow. No depth.
Just like the Steelers’ cornerbacks.
