Steelers Defense Left Quietly Exposed After Draft Decisions

The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up an exciting 2025 NFL Draft. Despite selecting multiple defensive players, one position group remains a point of concern according to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. While the team appears to have solidified the outside cornerback spots with Joey Porter Jr. and veteran Darius Slay, the uncertainty at slot cornerback continues to linger as the biggest defensive question mark heading into training camp.

In 2024, undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. held down the slot corner role quite a bit and performed admirably at times, but his limitations were evident against more polished receivers. After serving a suspension, veteran Cam Sutton returned to the team and contributed late in the season, but his play was far from reliable. The Steelers did draft Donte Kent in the seventh round, a physical defensive back out of Central Michigan, but expectations are low that he’ll contribute immediately on defense, with most projecting him as a special teams piece for now. The offseason signing of Brandin Echols sparks curiosity as well, as far as if the Steelers see him as a potential slot defender, or more as an outside corner.

Kaboly has expressed concern that Pittsburgh's failure to land a more proven slot corner through free agency or earlier in the draft could haunt them when the season begins. While Porter and Slay give the Steelers confidence on the outside, teams will likely target the middle of the field if the slot position remains vulnerable. With OTAs and minicamp on the horizon, all eyes will be on who steps up to claim the nickel corner role—and whether Pittsburgh’s gamble at the position pays off.

"I like the starters of Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and DeShon Elliott," Kaboly said. "I would say the slot corner is still questionable, and the depth at corner could potentially become a problem if Cory Trice doesn’t work out. They could use another veteran guy, but I don’t think they will add anybody of note."

Kaboly doesn’t expect the Steelers to make any more significant additions to the defensive back room. While the team remains optimistic about Cory Trice Jr.'s potential and development, his health and consistency will be crucial heading into the 2025 season. If Trice struggles or suffers a setback, Kaboly believes it could put the Steelers in a difficult spot, especially given their limited depth at cornerback. Without a reliable backup plan, the secondary could quickly become a liability.

The Steelers are hopeful that their current group can rise to the occasion, but Kaboly’s concerns highlight just how thin the margin for error remains in the defensive backfield. The slot corner position, in particular, has been a lingering issue for several seasons—arguably not truly stable since Mike Hilton last held it down.

As the team looks to strengthen that spot in 2025, there’s pressure on young players to step up, especially Trice, who continues to show promise. If Trice takes a significant step forward, the Steelers could find themselves in a solid position defensively. However, if he struggles to develop or suffers another injury setback, Pittsburgh’s secondary depth could quickly become a serious problem.

Steelers Still Not Certain About The Most Important Position In Football

The Steelers had a solid 2025 NFL Draft, and as the season continues to draw closer, all eyes remain on the team's quarterback situation. There’s still no clear update on whether Aaron Rodgers will join the Steelers this year. His arrival would dramatically shift expectations for the season, but for now, fans are left waiting and speculating.

In the meantime, both the team and its fan base are eager to see how the new draft picks will contribute. Pittsburgh did a commendable job finding value throughout the draft, addressing multiple needs on both sides of the ball. However, Kaboly has pointed out that the slot corner position remains a potential weak spot—and it’s one fans should continue to monitor closely.