Heading into the 2024 offseason, the Steelers had a glaring need for a reliable partner for their standout rookie corner, Joey Porter Jr. Despite a slow start in earning full-time snaps, Porter Jr. proved his mettle as a true number one corner. However, the duo of Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace failed to provide effective coverage on the opposite side.
To address this issue, the Steelers made a trade with the Carolina Panthers, sending receiver Diontae Johnson in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a swap of draft picks (240 for 178 in the 2024 draft). While Johnson’s departure created a gap in the receiving corps, acquiring Jackson offered a potential starting outside corner.
But does this trade truly bolster the Steelers’ defense? Let’s scrutinize Jackson’s potential impact and the concerns that come with it.
Jackson’s Age and Health Concerns
A major issue with the Steelers’ cornerback lineup last season was the advanced age of their starters. With Patrick Peterson at 33 and Levi Wallace at 28, along with slot corner Chandon Sullivan at 27, the defense needed younger legs. Jackson, who will be 29 at the season’s start, is the oldest cornerback in the room aside from Anthony Averett. Jackson has also been plagued by injuries, notably a torn Achilles in 2022.
For a player like Jackson, whose game relies heavily on speed and athleticism, aging and past injuries pose significant risks. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 180 lbs, his quickness has been his key asset, which has already shown signs of decline due to his Achilles injury and natural aging.
Jackson’s Performance History
Diontae Johnson, despite his third-round draft status, excelled with the Steelers, leading the team in receiving yards for three of his five seasons and amassing over 4,000 yards. In contrast, Donte Jackson has had one standout season in 2020 but has otherwise been a mediocre outside corner.
With Joey Porter Jr. established as the primary corner, Jackson won’t need to take the lead role as he occasionally did with the Panthers. However, considering his age and inconsistent performance, it’s uncertain if he can even maintain his current level of play. This raises the question: is sacrificing a proven offensive weapon for a potentially average cornerback worth it?
Jackson’s Limited Versatility
Before the Steelers re-signed Cam Sutton for the slot corner role, there were discussions about Jackson potentially filling this position. Despite his smaller stature seemingly fitting the slot role, Jackson has rarely played inside during his career, logging only 173 of his over 4,000 career snaps in the slot.
With Sutton back, Jackson’s lack of versatility is less pressing but still concerning. The Steelers’ cornerback depth is shallow, and an injury to Sutton or Porter Jr. could force significant adjustments. Neither Cory Trice Jr. nor Darius Rush, both taller and more physical, are ideal slot corners. Veteran Anthony Averett also lacks slot experience. Would the Steelers rely on undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop, or would they push Jackson into an unfamiliar role and hope for the best?
Overall, Jackson’s age, injury history, and lack of versatility pose significant risks, making this a high-stakes gamble for the Steelers’ defense.
