The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised a lot of people with how they closed out the 2022 season. After going 2-6 to start the season, they turned things around in the second half of the season following their bye week. The Steelers went 7-2 the rest of the season, giving head coach Mike Tomlin his 16th consecutive season without a losing record to begin his career.
It was an impressive feat that speaks volumes about the job that Tomlin and his staff do with the team. Despite working a rookie quarterback into the lineup and playing seven games without T.J. Watt the team was able to figure out ways to find success.
The future is bright in Pittsburgh with a foundation being laid. The team’s offense should only get better with Kenny Pickett entering Year 2 and having a full offseason of preparation. As long as the team’s pass rush remains productive, the defense will remain a productive unit.
However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to upgrade the secondary behind that pass rush. The cornerback group in 2022 was a bit of a mish-mosh group that could use a bonafide No. 1 option to bring it all together.
Cam Sutton was very good last season and provides some versatility with his ability to line up anywhere on the formation but is hitting free agency. James Pierre is also set to be a free agent, leaving Levi Wallace, Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon as the top cornerbacks remaining under contract.
This is a position of need even if the team can bring back their No. 1 corner in Sutton. The Steelers are projected to select a cornerback in a lot of mock drafts, which makes sense. Landing a long-term answer in the secondary is exactly what this defense needs.
But, what if they went the trade route, bringing in a bonafide star at the position? It is something we have seen them be willing to do as they acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins in 2019. Fitzpatrick has been everything the Steelers could have wanted and more, making the All-Pro First Team and Pro Bowl roster in three out of his four seasons in the Steel City.
Looking to upgrade the cornerback position, the Steelers could get into the Jalen Ramsey sweepstakes. The Los Angeles Rams may be forced to trade their star defender because of their salary cap situation and lack of depth elsewhere on the roster.
Ramsey would be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh as another versatile, playmaking member of the secondary. Despite showing signs of being human in 2022, the Florida State product would still be a big upgrade for the Steelers.
What would it cost to acquire Ramsey? When he was acquired by Los Angeles, it cost two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. The Rams will not get that much value in return, but should still do pretty well.
The logistics of his contract are a bit difficult to navigate, as when the trade becomes official would matter a lot in terms of salary cap implications. Depending on how much of the contract Pittsburgh can cover will determine the compensation heading out west.
If the Steelers cover all of it, they should be able to get away with offering a second-round pick as the prime asset going to the Rams. Pittsburgh has two second-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, one courtesy of the Chicago Bears in the Chase Claypool trade.
That is a prime asset as it can be considered a first-rounder with the Dolphins having to forfeit their first-round pick as their punishment for tampering charges. The No. 32 pick and a third-rounder could be enough to get the job done for the Steelers, who would be able to use the No. 17 overall pick to address another area of need.
