Yesterday, the free agency wheels in Pittsburgh started turning when the Steelers cleared salary cap room by restructuring three contracts. One position of undoubted need that could be filled with the additional space is cornerback. There are more than 40 free agent cornerbacks this off-season, and the Steelers have three in Ike Taylor, Brice McCain, and Antwon Blake (restricted). Unfortunately, most of the free agents this year are injury-prone and/or will commend higher-end contracts due to the lack of positional depth in the league. A lot of mediocre cornerbacks will be signed to contracts beyond their worth, which will most likely move them out the Steelers' price range.
Even after the restructures, the most likely scenario is still that the Steelers will have to gamble on a few 1-year rentals like they did last year to string together a secondary alongside Cortez Allen and William Gay. That being said, maybe the added cap room will make one of the top free agent cornerbacks below a bit more affordable.
1). Tramon Williams
Williams is an older CB who has already played his best football. Still, the Packers have a history of retaining their own, and will probably re-sign him to a 2-year deal.
2). Tarell Brown
Brown may be worth the gamble. His play was mediocre last year for the Raiders, but then again, which player impressed on that team? He might be able to get a 1-year deal from the Steelers.
3). Patrick Roblinson
He will be visiting the Steelers next week, and if all goes well all signs point to him taking McCain's contract.
Brandon Flowers- Re-signed with Chargers
The Steelers pursued Flowers last year, and I believe he is the best free agent cornerback available this offseason. Last year, he signed a one year, $4 million deal with the Chargers and impressed to the point where he will likely command $5 million or more this year. Flowers has shown that he can play in multiple defenses and could be a great fit for Butler's new defense.
Antonio Cromartie- Agreed with Jets
Cromartie is arguably one of the best corners in the NFL, as long as he's not injured. He will probably re-sign with the Cardinals at a hefty price tag, but he does have leverage to play for a team with lots of cap space if he chooses to sign a lucrative contract elsewhere. He would be great for the Steelers, but I don't see a way he could be signed.
Byron Maxwell- Signed with Philadelphia
Maxwell lived in Richard Sherman's shadow in Seattle, but he's one of my favorite CBs. I have been waiting for Maxwell to be a free agent, and the Steelers should attempt to sign him. He has shown flashes of elite play, but does have bad games and can get beat. Most of Seattle's linebackers and secondary signed team-friendly deals last season, but Maxwell didn't - which suggests that he may be looking for the largest contract possible. Again, the Steelers may simply not be able to afford him.
Kareem Jackson- Re-signed with Texans
Jackson is another great corner when healthy. He could be a great addition to the Steeler's secondary, and due to his health issues he won't see many suitors offering large contracts.
Chris Culliver Signed with Redskins
A very underrated corner that often gets overlooked. After tearing his ACL in 2013, he proved himself to be reliable last season. Steelers should take a look at Culliver if the 49ers do not re-sign him.
Walter Thurmond Signed with Eagles
Thurmond is another ex-Seattle star, but didn't play well in 2014 before tearing a pectoral muscle. He should an affordable CB with a proven history of success.
Darius Butler Signed with Colts
Butler is injury prone, but when healthy can be a shut-down CB.
Buster Skrine Signed with Jets
For a while early in the 2014 season, Skrine led the league in interceptions. Then, his play declined rapidly as the Browns devolved to their natural state. He might be worth a look at for a reasonable price.
Other free agent CBs:
11. Zach Bowman
12. Robert McClain
13. Rashean Mathis
14. Sterling Moore
15. Patrick Robinson
16. Antwon Blake- Tendered by Steelers
17. Carlos Rodgers
18. Davon House
19. Brice McCain
20. Charles Tillman
Will the Steelers spend their newly found cap room on a free agent cornerback? Only time will tell. But the options are there, so it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.