Steelers Now
Pro Football Focus has the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Texas star cornerback Jahdae Barron at 21st overall in their latest mock draft. Cornerback is a pressing need for the Steelers, especially with how Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton faltered down the stretch. They need to pair Joey Porter Jr. with a top-flight corner, and Barron certainly would fit the bill.
“Barron was one of the top defensive backs in college football this past season. After playing safety in 2022, slot cornerback in 2023 and outside cornerback in 2024, he’ll be exactly what Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wants in his secondary: a chess piece who fills one of the team’s top needs,” Trevor Sikkema of PFF wrote.
Barron started 38 games at safety, outside cornerback and nickel during his tenure at Texas, so he’s a highly versatile defensive back. This past season, Barron was the winner of the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award, named the 2025 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP and was named to the All-America first-team by the Associated Press.
Texas CB Jahdae Barron is just such an elite cover corner. Tremendous ball skills, physicality and timing
Can match receivers, tight ends or slot receivers, too. Really fun watch pic.twitter.com/1jKVUWuuRW
— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) February 8, 2025
In late January, PFF also tabbed the Steelers as landing spots for two veteran cornerbacks.
“Davis’ reputation as one of the most physical cornerbacks in the NFL should make for a natural fit in Pittsburgh,” PFF’s Mason Cameron writes. “The Steelers ran Cover 1 at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL in 2024, a scheme Davis is well acquainted with from his time in Detroit.”
The 28-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions, recording 56 tackles (42 solo), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 13 games.
Before joining the Lions, Davis spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who drafted him in the second-round (No. 63 overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Steelers will likely be looking for a more solidified No. 2 cornerback option opposite Joey Porter Jr. and Davis could prove to be exactly what they’re looking for.
Pittsburgh isn’t just looking for an outside cornerback, though. It must also find a more reliable slot corner with the likely departure of Cameron Sutton in free agency.
That’s why PFF also named the Steelers as a landing spot for veteran cornerback Mike Hilton.
“Hilton may be reaching his age-31 season, but he hasn’t slowed down yet, still producing as one of the NFL’s best slot defenders,” Cameron writes. “The Steelers will need slot help after Cam Sutton’s departure, and given that Pittsburgh drafted Hilton back in 2017, a reunion may be in the cards.”
With over $40 million in cap space, the Steelers could address the cornerback position in free agency. If not, a young rising star like Barron could be the answer.
