The Steelers are less than a week away from the free agency phase of the off-season, and it’s already clear: they will not be able to afford much.
If you’re looking for a word that rhymes with a lot (and it probably is not), the ending would be fine. In football terms, reference is made at any particular time to the third receiver or corner field on the field.
In terms of cornerbacks, Mike Hilton is one of the best slots in the NFL. The unknown free agent from Ole Miss blinded the Steelers so much during training camp in 2017 that he not only made the final list, but that he is also their first starting corner.
Hilton did not disappoint and since then he has really not disappointed.
Despite quickly becoming one of the best closing corners in the business, he had very little contract leverage in the first four years of his career, including a season ago when he was a free agent.
That all changes Wednesday when Hilton becomes an unlimited free agent, who is free to offer his services to the highest bidder. The Steelers can work out a deal with him before Wednesday, but that is unlikely to happen, given how valuable Hilton is on the open market and how limited the financial situation in Pittsburgh is.
An alternative is Cameron Sutton, a third-round pick from Tennessee, who appears to be the crucial favorite to replace Hilton, but at a much more team-friendly deal. But what if things are not as clear as they seem with Sutton? Let’s be honest, teams spend all the time in free agencies. I think it’s not much of a secret. Timing also usually plays a big role in the kind of transactions that a player can negotiate for himself once he becomes unlimited. Sutton did not have a Pro Bowl season in 2020, but he did have the best of his career.
Furthermore, he offers positional flexibility, and in addition to playing the lock, Sutton can also play outside and safely.
Do not be surprised if Sutton deserves a better price than anyone could have ever imagined.
That brings me to Sean Davis, yes, he. Is it so crazy to think that he could be a cheap but mostly effective alternative to Hilton or Sutton to spend?
Davis entered the NFL in 2016 with the ability to play corner and safety, and although his more effective position appears to be safety, he did start his rookie season as the Steelers’ starting corner. Davis eventually switched to strong security before finding a real home as a free security. Unfortunately for Davis, he injured early in the 2019 season and Pittsburgh decided to trade for an All-Pro in the free safety position: Minkah Fitzpatrick.
With the handwriting clearly on the wall, Davis entered into an agreement with Washington last spring. Unfortunately, the transaction did not last. Davis was released last summer and was with the Steelers again for the 2020 campaign.
So what happened to Davis in Washington? Who knows, but you can ask the same about BJ Finney in Seattle. Years ago, you could ask the question about Larry Foote’s one season in Detroit or Willie Gay’s short time with the Cardinals.
Sometimes a player performs with a particular organization, but not with another. Both Foote and Gay returned to Pittsburgh after leaving as free agents and were still productive players.
Were these superstars? No, but the Steelers did not need it. As for Davis, Pittsburgh does not need him to be one of the better closing corners in the NFL. Considering the problems with Steelers’ salary cap, I think they’ll be happy if he’s just reliable.
Nor does it have to be for the next half-decade, just long enough to get the Steelers through 2021 without hampering what is still a dynamic and dominant defense.
After that, the situation of the Steelers hood will be better, and they can then fill the position of the slot corner with someone with more potential. For all we know, they will find that player somewhere in the NFL draft in 2021, and he could use his rookie season to hone his skills and prepare to be a future starter.
Oh yes, Davis also offers position flexibility and has a combined career of 42 in both the free and strong safety positions.
Call me crazy, but if they do not work things out with Mike Hilton (and chances are they will), and if they can not sign a team – friendly agreement with Cam Sutton (and it will not be a total shock to anyone) paid too much for him), I think Sean Davis could be a cheap and effective alternative for them in 2021.