The Pittsburgh Steelers have several glaring needs still remaining on their roster as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, and while the majority of the fan base is focused on center and offensive tackle, there is another position which needs addressed and it’s in the secondary. More specifically slot cornerback.

During the league meetings in Florida this week, Mike Tomlin was asked about the plan at the position, especially with Chandon Sullivan and Levi Wallace both out there as Unrestricted Free Agents on the open market.

“We’ve got some candidates, but obviously we’re probably still looking,” Tomlin said at the AFC coaches breakfast Monday morning. “I think that’s the position that we’re all looking for and looking at annually because some of the demands that come with the position in the NFL are somewhat different than in college. In college, oftentimes that guy is a safety-like guy.

“The coverage is so significant in the NFL, that most of the time that guy’s a corner-like guy, so I think we’re all kind of scouring that position annually and seeing what’s available in terms of ready main talent and so forth.”

The Steelers did acquire Donte Jackson in the trade with the Panthers which sent Diontae Johnson to Carolina, but Jackson is predominantly an outside cornerback. Likewise, the defensive backs the team has on the roster now aren’t particularly suited for time in the slot, but one new addition might fit the bill.

I’m referring to safety DeShon Elliott, who has shown he is not just a willing tackler, but able to play in the slot in coverage.

“I’m really excited that he’s here. He is a really good tackler. He’s a really good communicator. He has some natural traits that I think really makes you excited about adding to your defense from a safety perspective,” Tomlin said of Elliott. “And he’s not a newbie by any stretch. He’s been in the league. We’re familiar with him. He’s familiar with us, and I just think that makes me really excited.”

While other names have been tossed around as potential options, adding Patrick Peterson remains an option for the Steelers, but not at this juncture.

“We’re open to it as well,” Tomlin said of bringing back Peterson. “But, you know, there’s so much business in front of us and we just felt like it was appropriate to be transparent with him to give him an opportunity to assess what’s out there totality.”

The hope with this search for a slot cornerback is to free up Minkah Fitzpatrick to be more of the centerfielder in the deep half of the secondary. Some may have their hesitations about their Tomlin has no concerns about Fitzpatrick getting back to his playmaking ability in 2024.

“I don’t,” Tomlin said. “To me, it’s about availability. If he’s available, he’s going to be making plays.”

Fitzpatrick missed large portions of the 2024 season with both hamstring and knee injuries, and his usage also had fans scratching their heads. With Elliott already on board, if they could add another cornerback who is best in the slot, it could be the missing piece of the puzzle to unlock a tremendous defensive unit in 2024.

Will that slot cornerback come in free agency? Or the NFL Draft? Only time will tell.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the offseason and the NFL Draft.