National media outlet names the free agent the Steelers can't afford to lose this offseason
Pro Football Focus named a free agent that each team can't afford to lose this offseason and they went with a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers that could be considered "under the radar". PFF's Brad Spielberger thinks cornerback Cam Sutton is a player the Steelers can't let slip away this spring. From PFF: Pittsburgh traded […]
Pro Football Focus named a free agent that each team can't afford to lose this offseason and they went with a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers that could be considered "under the radar".
PFF's Brad Spielberger thinks cornerback Cam Sutton is a player the Steelers can't let slip away this spring.
Pittsburgh traded for cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and William Jackson III in recent years, and both players finished the 2022 season with grades in the 40s. They’ve continued to throw darts at the position without much success but would be smart to bring back a known commodity in Sutton.
Sutton earned a career-best 72.2 grade in 2022, allowing just 0.76 yards per coverage snap, which ranked 11th among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps on the season. With big contracts already handed out to edge defender T.J. Watt, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and interior defender Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh likely isn’t looking to splurge more in the secondary as they look for offensive improvement. Sutton won’t break the bank yet offers familiarity in Mike Tomlin’s defense.
Sutton, who will turn 28 next month, has developed into a key player for the Steelers. And I agree with PFF that he's definitely a player that Pittsburgh should bring back.
The teams in the NFL that have sustained success are excellent at landing starters in the middle rounds of the draft. And that's exactly what they did with Sutton.
Pittsburgh selected Sutton in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The former Tennessee Vols standout, who wasn't highly rated coming out of high school in Georgia, has been everything the Steelers could've hoped for and more.
And the great thing is that Sutton is just now hitting his stride as a cornerback in the NFL. It would be a shame to watch him excel with another franchise. That's why Pittsburgh needs to make sure they lock down Sutton this off-season.
Featured image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
