Heading into the offseason, the cornerback position was one of the more concerning spots on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster. Joey Porter Jr. represents one excellent option, but with a few of their depth players hitting free agency, the Steelers were going to have to find some answers. While the draft is an excellent opportunity to do so, Pittsburgh clearly didn’t feel like waiting around. They made a couple of moves once the legal tampering period opened Monday, including agreeing to terms with Jamel Dean.
Coming from Tampa Bay, Dean isn’t the biggest name, but he’s one to feel good about. That’s how former Steeler James Harrison feels, at least. Speaking with Joe Haden on Tuesday, Harrison was pretty exciting about adding Dean.
“We just picked up the cornerback, Jamel Dean, three-year deal,” Harrison said Tuesday on his Deebo & Joe podcast. “Bruh, this dude is 6’1″. He’s fast. Greased lighting fast, Joe. 4.3 [40-yard dash] Joe. He’s good in man coverage, Joe. So, even if you do possibly, maybe get loose from him, you’re not about to get away from him. He’s 4.3. Nephew [Joey Porter Jr.], you got you a partner over there. You got you a running mate… We lockin’ it. Don’t forget, we got Ramsey still over here, too.”
Dean makes a lot of sense as a starter opposite Porter. He should fit well in Patrick Graham’s defense, too. Dean plays scrappy and physically, especially at the line of scrimmage, where his long arms help him in press coverage. But he’s also quick enough, as Harrison mentions, to defend receivers down the field.
One intriguing aspect Jamel Dean brings is his ball skills. That should also be a nice complement to Porter. Porter took a major step forward last year, but while he’s got his hands on plenty of passes, he only has three career interceptions. Dean has 11 through his seven-year career. It’s not a major number, but he knows how to take the ball away.
There’s still a long way for this offseason to go. But the Steelers have to feel a lot more comfortable with the cornerback position now. Porter and Dean are certainly a formidable starting duo, with Dean allowing a passer rating of just 63.1 when targeted last year, a career-best number. Pittsburgh was also able to bring Asante Samuel Jr. back, who had some nice moments once hitting the field late last season. And in Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers have another versatile defender they can plug and play all over the defense.
We’re only one day in, but there’s reason for optimism in some of the moves the Steelers have made already. At cornerback, they’ve done a good job to shore things up in quick fashion. If Jamel Dean can stay healthy, he could turn into quite an underrated addition for this defense.
Recommended for you