Steelers Floated as Possible Landing Spot for Projected $252 Million CB
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a significant need at cornerback to begin the offseason. Pro Football Focus suggested once again the Steelers could fill that void with one of the league’s top free agents. On January 24, PFF named the Steelers a potential landing spot for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
PFF has Sneed positioned as the second-best cornerback set to be accessible in the forthcoming free organization class. PFF additionally has Sneed appraised as the No. 10-best free specialist in general.
The PFF staff wrote, “After lining up primarily in the slot over his first three seasons, Sneed was a fixture out wide in 2023, and he held up quite well in several tough matchups.” Sneed is sticky in coverage, getting into receivers’ hip pockets and becoming extremely difficult to shake with lateral movement or in the air at the catch point. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo asks a lot of his cornerbacks.
“Sneed could tolerate cutting down on punishments, however his forceful nature would be welcome in many groups, and his inside-outside flexibility is a decent advantage, too.”
Sneed posted 78 consolidated handles, remembering 5 handles for misfortune for the 2023 customary season. He likewise had 14 pass protections and 2 block attempts.
PFF projected Sneed’s fairly estimated worth to be $52.5 million on a 3-year contract. Such an arrangement would give Sneed a $17.5 million normal yearly compensation.
How L’Jarius Sneed Would Fit With the Steelers
Matching Sneed with freshman cornerback Joey Doorman Jr. probably won’t be the best procedure on the grounds that both guarded backs commit a great deal of punishments. Sneed committed a profession high 11 acknowledged punishments in 2023, which was the most for any cautious back in the NFL.
Watchman didn’t play very however many snaps as Sneed regardless had 8 acknowledged punishments.
Yet, there’s no rejecting that a Sneed-Doorman cornerback mix would be an actual couple. The duo has the potential to greatly enhance Pittsburgh’s pass defense.
The Steelers were seventeenth in passing yards permitted and twentieth in passing scores yielded during 2023. That was an improvement from last season, but the Steelers’ cornerback position may be mostly vacant after free agency.
Cornerbacks Levi Wallace, James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley are forthcoming free specialists. Although Patrick Peterson has a contract, he will turn 34 in July.
On the off chance that the Steelers marked Sneed, he could normally fit on the contrary side of Doorman. However, he additionally can play inside, which would give Pittsburgh added adaptability.
Other CB Choices for Steelers
The issue with the Steelers marking Sneed is a similar issue Pittsburgh will have with any enormous named free specialist this offseason — the compensation cap.
Spotrac revealed the Steelers are $6.7 million over the compensation cap as of January 24.
The question is whether the Steelers will be able to sign Sneed to a contract that pays him more than $17 million per season given the easy ways they can free up cap space.
This offseason, PFF likewise named the Steelers an arrival spot for Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson. In any case, Bears head supervisor Ryan Posts told the media on January 11 that Johnson “will stay put.”
The Chiefs haven’t said anything about Sneed’s future while their season is still going on. However, it wouldn’t be out of the question if Kansas City made signing Sneed a priority prior to the start of free agency.
Regardless of whether he opens up, the Steelers might have no real option except to seek after less expensive cornerback choices.
That makes Pittsburgh drafting a cornerback an unmistakable chance. ESPN’s Mel Kiper anticipated the Steelers to target Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter in his initial 2024 NFL mock draft on January 23.
