With 72 days until the start of the NFL draft, nothing is a bigger hot button topic among Steeler fans than the cornerback position. That’s understandable after all, considering that long-time starter Ike Taylor is almost certain not to be back, and late season contributors Antwon Blake and Brice McCain set to hit the free-agent market.
If Taylor, Blake and McCain are not back in 2015, that would leave Cortez Allen, William Gay and seldom used B.W. Webb as the only cornerbacks under contract for next season. Not exactly news that will bring comfort to an already frustrated fan base who desperately wants to see the organization make upgrading the position a top priority.
Though it seems possible the Steelers will bring Blake and/or McCain back, and there is cautious optimism that Allen can bounce back from a dreadful season, it’s clear the Steelers will need to bring in multiple corners to compete for jobs once training camp begins this July.
One option the Steelers may consider is bringing in a proven veteran via free agency. The 2015 market is loaded with viable options, and one of the more intriguing comes from within the AFC North, Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine.
Multiple outlets have reported that Skrine is likely to explore what the market has to offer, and though the Browns are a team with an abundance of cap room, they also have one of the highest paid cornerbacks in the game in Joe Haden, and invested a top-10 pick on Justin Gilbert. Regardless of the financial flexibility, it might be tough to keep Skrine, especially if he has a desire to test the open market.
Despite of playing opposite Haden, who is widely regarded as one of the best corners in the game, Skrine proved his worth as a full-time starter. With opponents rarely willing to challenge Haden in pass coverage, Skrine was tested regularly and had a tremendous year. His stat line included four interceptions, 18 passes defended and 67 tackles.
Skrine has experience playing the nickel cornerback position during his four-year career, so he is capable of playing inside or outside in a similar fashion to what Gay has done over his time in Pittsburgh. Adding Skrine would additionally give the Steelers another cornerback who is solid in run support; a skill set the Steelers have long coveted.
Though the Steelers currently have limited cap space, pending decisions with veterans like Taylor, Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel, James Harrison and Jason Worilds could provide the team with much needed cap relief. This could allow the Steelers make a serious offer to a player such as Skrine.
The Steelers will likely not be alone in their pursuit of the soon to be free agent. Despite of a relative abundance of appealing free agents at the position, the Browns seem interested in bring Skrine back, and the Bears and Texans are among other teams rumored to have interest.
It seems likely that the Steelers will use an early pick, possibly even a first rounder for the first time since 1997, to draft a cornerback who can come in and make an immediate impact. Regardless, it seems that the Steelers could use a veteran free agent like Skrine to provide experience and a high level of play next season at position of need.
