Pittsburgh Steelers defender named by CBS Sports as one of the NFL's underrated free agents
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was named by CBS Sports this week as one of the NFL's most underrated free agents this offseason. Here's what CBS Sports had to say about Witherspoon: The former 49ers starter never stuck as a steady full-timer in San Francisco and made just three starts for the Steelers down the […]
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was named by CBS Sports this week as one of the NFL's most underrated free agents this offseason.
Here's what CBS Sports had to say about Witherspoon:
The former 49ers starter never stuck as a steady full-timer in San Francisco and made just three starts for the Steelers down the stretch in 2021, but he brought some stability to Pittsburgh's secondary with three picks and nine pass breakups. Witherspoon is still young (26), with good size (6-feet-2) and experience, making him a high-upside bet for an outside job.
For now, it's unclear if the Steelers will try to bring Witherspoon back in 2022.
If they do, it can't be as a starter. I agree with CBS Sports that he's a solid player, but he's a major liability when it comes to defending against the run. Specifically, he's not a very good tackler. Witherspoon had a 26.8 percent missed tackle percentage in 2021. That's really bad. Fellow free-agent cornerback Charvarius Ward, by comparison, had a missed tackle percentage of just five percent.
Witherspoon's coverage skills, however, are excellent. According to Pro Football Reference, when Witherspoon was targeted, the opposing quarterback's rating dropped to 35.1.
If the Steelers bring Witherspoon back, it has to be as a player who comes into the game only in sub packages and obvious passing situations. Otherwise, he's not worth what a starting cornerback gets paid.
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports
