Who is the Steelers’ best cornerback in 2024?

With July officially here, I’m going to take the time to rank the Steelers’ roster by position group before training camp begins. The ultimate goal will be to create a ranked list of every play on the roster before camp begins.

The rankings will be a mix of criteria. I’m primarily looking at which players will put the Steelers in the best position to win this year. While long-term potential is considered, I’m less concerned with what a player can bring in 2025 than what he can do for the team this year. For rookies, their level of professional readiness will be considered as well as their roster projection. We continue with the cornerbacks, a room with some bright spots but also a lot of unknowns.

10. Kalon Barnes

This group should be really fun and competitive this summer, as the battle in the slot and for depth along the outside lines looks fierce. Unfortunately, a player like Kalon Barnes doesn’t have a good chance of making the roster. He’s only on the field, and while he has elite speed, it hasn’t translated to the professional level. Unless he can shine on special teams, Barnes looks like one of the last players on the full roster.

9. Anthony Averett

Anthony Averett is in a similar situation to Barnes. While he isn’t the athlete that Barnes is, he has a lot more experience. He’s been a depth player and occasional starter for a while. The problem is that he’s played primarily as an outside cornerback, and at this point in his career, I don’t see him making the roster without being able to kick inside.

8. Thomas Graham

As of now, I think every name in the cornerback room has a clear path to the roster. That includes Thomas Graham, who has had a cup of coffee in the NFL so far with little success. He’s primarily a slot cornerback, which is a major need, and he can play special teams. If he shines in camp, he could earn a spot as a slot defender.

7. Bishop Bonnet

I’m skeptical of placing Beanie Bishop that high, but despite the overall undrafted rookie class being underwhelming, Bishop seems like the jewel of this group. He’s a physical defender who thrived on the interior during college. Add in some plus ball skills and you might have something there. He needs a solid camp, but he could find his place in a starting role given the need for slot cornerbacks.

6. Cameron Sutton

On the one hand, Cameron Sutton has a lot of room to play a starting role and has plenty of experience on the Steelers’ defense. If that were the only consideration, he would have been the second or third name on this list. However, his offseason arrest and eight-game suspension mean his impact won’t be felt for a while, if at all, as the team could easily part ways with Sutton if other players shine.

5. Josiah Scott

When it comes to the cornerback room specifically, Josiah Scott might actually be the favorite to start in the slot. He has plenty of experience in the slot and played well there in 2022 for the Eagles. While there are safeties not on this list who can fill that spot, Scott is the best plug-and-play cornerback and could start there given Sutton’s suspension.

4. Cory Trice

The fourth and third spots will be a close call, as neither is a proven player and both are potential special teams shooters, a necessary piece for this team. While everyone seems to think highly of Cory Trice, he needs to prove himself to move up in this ranking. He didn’t leave camp healthy last year. He needs to stay healthy and continue to play well if he wants to earn a roster spot.

3. Darius Rush

Darius Rush and Trice are very similar prospects, as both are built on that oversized model the Steelers have gravitated toward. Rush had limited playing time as a rookie, so he has the early advantage over Trice. Ideally, either he or Trice (or both) appear to be potential starting outside cornerbacks by the end of training camp.

2. Donte Jackson

Fortunately, the Steelers don’t need Rush or Trice to be ready as a second cornerback since Donte Jackson will be filling that spot this year. He seems underrated considering how many fans think he can’t start anymore. He still has good speed and plays well in man coverage. At least for this season, if not the next few, Jackson should be a great addition to this defense.

1. Joey Porter

While he still has a lot to prove, Joey Porter had a memorable rookie season last year. It was a slow start, but once he earned a starting role, he was a success. He was effective in man coverage and statistically ranked among the best coverage options in the game.

He needs to improve as a tackler and also needs to avoid penalties due to his grabby nature. It would also be nice to see more turnovers, as he has never been a big interception player. He is a player on the rise, as while he is not the best cornerback in the game yet, he is well on his way to getting his name in the mix.