The Steelers' search for a new slot cornerback is still ongoing as the team sorts through younger players to take the place of Mike Hilton.
I wrote my latest Carter's Classroom about undrafted rookie Shakur Brown and his skills that could apply to the position, but there are several younger players who could fit that role.
Tre Norwood, Arthur Maulet and Antoine Brooks could all be in the running for the spot if the team doesn't move Cameron Sutton back inside. But replacing Hilton isn't the same as replacing your average NFL slot cornerback. That's not saying Hilton has been elite, he's been good, but that's been about his unique skills.
Hilton's 30 career tackles for loss are tied for the most by a cornerback with William Gay in franchise history. His absence will create a vacuum at a spot where the Steelers would be missing contributions that Hilton has brought with being an instinctual and physical tackler around the line of scrimmage.
But do the Steelers really just need a Hilton 2.0?
When he arrived in 2017 the Steelers lost Ryan Shazier to his career-ending injury and only got a replacement for him in Devin Bush in 2019 and less than half of 2020.
Hilton was needed to help be an athletic and fast tackler around the line of scrimmage because the team didn't have the linebacker in place most of his time in Pittsburgh. While linebackers like Jon Bostic, Vince Williams and Avery Williamson roamed the field and did their best, Hilton was the faster option to move around the field and be a disruptive force.
With Bush back and healthy along with Robert Spillane and maybe Ulysses Gilbert and Buddy Johnson helping, the Steelers have that this year. Instead of necessarily looking for a Hilton clone, now the team can opt for a better cover slot cornerback. Brooks has shown promise and plays closer to Hilton's physical style but both Norwood and Brown are more comfortable working in coverage.
YOUR TAKE: Should Steelers' new slot cornerback be closer to Hilton's skillset?
