It takes quite a while for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have the correct work in the slot corner. The carousel of the experiment since Mike Hilton’s departure in 2020 may suggest that it’s time to invest more after Cam Sutton’s recent failure. Beanie Bishop Jr., the 2024 UDFA, did some good things last season, but they need to consider potential upgrades in that position.
Of course, versatility on the spot is ideal. Of course, coverage, running, defense, and electric shock. Today’s goal is to look at 2024 statistics for the defensive back in the draft with at least 75 slot snaps (27 qualifying). Looking at how it is carried in coverage from the slot, we hope that with the total drive and pass rush, Pittsburgh’s quality options will be revealed.
First, slot snaps and slot passersby evaluations are permitted.
First of all, you can see which DBs have the most slot opportunities last season. Five players are the most prominent in the slots led by Arizona Shamaris Simmons. His 374 slots were comfortable leading the qualifiers (fourth in FBS in 2024) and allowed an average rating of 84.4 (15/27).
Notre Dame’s Jordan Clark was second in the slot snap (328) and was rated 85.0 (16th). Kansas Marques Sigle had 300 slot snaps (third) and had a top rating of 78.0 with over 250 slot snaps.
The other two had many opportunities. Iowa’s Sebastian Castro’s 282 slot snap ranks fourth, but it’s far below the other large slot players allowed to rating at 110.9 (23rd). Jakob Robinson from BYU has 274 slot snaps, giving him a strong rating of 92.9, but still below average.
All the next tier of slot opportunities were slightly above the average allowed slot passerby ratings. Jordan Hancock of Ohio (226 snaps, rating 75.2), Caleb Lanceau of Tulane (203, 79.1), and Glendon Miller of Maryland (202, 77.5).
The other three had above average opportunities, but no ideal coverage results. Malaki Starks in Georgia (175 snaps, rating of 94.2), Daylan Kernel in Missouri (171, 92.8), Upton Stout in Western Kentucky (164, 92.7).
Next, there is a clear layer of average ratings up and down for players with less use in slots. Kitankloford, Nevada (22.6, 86 snaps), Jada Evalon, Texas (41.1, 18), Craig Woodson, California (49.6, 93), Donovan McMillon, Pittsburgh (57.1), 91, 91), 91, 91 ), 91), the top five slot passer ratings are as follows: Marathimoor, Alabama (59.0, 114). These are great numbers, especially Crawford’s 22.6, the sixth best in FBS.
Five more received above average ratings, but below average snaps. Xavier Watts of Notre Dame (64.1, 98), Jonas Sonker of Virginia (65.0, 92), Justin Baron of Syracuse (70.8, 92), Nick Emanwy of South Carolina (73.2, 799), and Eastern Kentucky Mike Smith Jr. (78.8, 108).
Next, there is a clear tier in the lower left of players who lack quality and quantity in slot coverage. Of course, hope was a strong balance of both, but unfortunately the player on the top right of the chart does not underline the lack of true standout.
Use stops and missed tackle rates to stack up running defenses.
Justin Barron scored an impressive stellar 9.0 run stop rating, three points higher than any other qualifier. He announced he missed the tackle rating that he missed an average of 20.3 against the run, but (23rd) he literally made a hit or miss. The Starks were a top 4.3 that missed the tackle rate, but paired with a 2.1 stop rate (T-21st).
Stouts ranked second in matching tackle rate (4.7) in number of matches at stopping rate (6th) and the 2024 run defense offering became one of the most balanced of the group. He is one of nine who surpassed the average in both.
The rest of that list includes Miller (5.9 stop rate – 3rd, 8.3 misrate – 7th), Woodson (4.3 – T-Seventh, 6th), and Jaylen Reed (5.1 – 4th, 11.4th – 10th), Emmanwori (3.9-10th, 8.5-8th), Kernel (4.3-T-Seventh, 12.0-11th), Sanker (4.8-) 5th, 13.0-14th), Ransaw (3.8-T-11th , 12.5 – 13th), and Watts (3.6 – 13, 12.3 – 12th).
For pass rush, use pass rush snaps and pass rush productivity (formula combining sacks, hits, rushes, pass rush snaps):
Again, there are no players in the chart in the top right. Three players rushing passersby landed above the average (slightly) of productivity. Reed and Justin Baron tied for the group’s most pass rush, with PRP of 17.5 (7th) and 16.3 (11th). Stout was third in 37 pass rushes, slightly above the average PRP (14.3, 15).
Next, four more DBs landed above average: Sanker (22.2 PRP – 5th, 21 snaps – T-7th), Moore (16.7 – T-8th, 20 – T-Ninth), Simmons ( 16.7 – T-8th, 17 – 11), and Jahdae Barron (15.8 – 12th, 21 – t-Seventh).
The other two players had over 30 pass rushes. Robinson (35) and Castro (31), but lower PRPs of 8.8 (19th) and 6.9 (20th) were below peer averages. Three players stood out with impressive PRP to maximize fewer opportunities. Oklahoma Billy Bowman Jr. (33.3 PRP – first, three snaps), Watts (30.8 – seconds, 14), Crawford (30.0 – third, 10).
Conclusion
Checking all boxes at the location of slot CB is extremely difficult, and interestingly, this study revealed that community drafts label most of the qualifying rounds as safety. The player with the most balanced stats was Jonas Sanker, and slot coverage snaps were his only below average.
But it’s important and experience is invaluable. Marques Sigle and Shamari Simmons had much higher slot snaps. The former low mark missed tackles on run defense, and a sub-average pass rush snap was missed. Simmons was impressed overall and was also his most obvious weakness of last season.
Miller did some great things in 2024, but his pass rush production was clearly negative. Stout closes the top five cumulative statistics, but his worst statistic was allowed to rate slot passersby. It’s early, but at first glance, none of the five names above require high pick investments, making it perfect for dealing with other positions early.
He had fewer slot coverage snaps, but he liked what he saw from Watt. He has good coverage, defences and has made pass rush productions, which could be a good option for the previous round. There are a few other names that can be discussed further, but from a statistical standpoint, this is a list of possible candidates that could be the answer for the Steelers in the Slot Corner.
