The Pittsburgh Steelers have exceeded expectations in 2024, as the team is 10-4 and atop the AFC North through 15 weeks. Pittsburgh suffered a frustrating 27-13 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 and will look to bounce back in Week 16 versus the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Though the Steelers couldn't get the job done on Sunday, Mike Tomlin's squad has won seven of its last nine games and has been one of the most formidable teams in the NFL. Pittsburgh's roster is quietly one of the better groups in football, but the Steelers still have some glaring weaknesses, especially at cornerback.
Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson are Pittsburgh's current starting corners, with Beanie Bishop Jr. and DeShon Elliott serving as the slot corners. Though the unit isn't awful and has shown promise this season, adding a few more impactful players to the secondary in the offseason would be a smart move from general manager Omar Khan.
The Steelers could go the draft route to address the position, but Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine predicts Pittsburgh will sign Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox in 2025 free agency.
The Steelers are woefully short on slot defenders. Undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. has done an adimrable job as the starter, but it wouldn't be wise for him to be the only option going into 2025. It's not a premium position, but bringing in a veteran could give the secondary the depth they need.
Avonte Maddox is a longtime slot defender for the Eagles. He has had his fair share of ups and downs, but there has been more good than bad. He's headed toward his age-29 season, but he's done well this season and held opponents to a 76.2 passer rating when targeted.
Maddox has primarily served as a slot corner since entering the league in 2018, and the 28-year-old has played 210 snaps in the slot this season.
Though Maddox is an experienced player who has logged 40 starts in his seven-year career, the former Pittsburgh Panther has been inconsistent in 2024 and clearly isn't a starting-caliber player.
Signing Maddox as a cheap depth piece would be a savvy move from Khan, but the 2018 fourth-round pick can't be relied upon as an every-down starter. Pittsburgh will need to do more to address the secondary this offseason than just acquiring Maddox for depth.
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