The Pittsburgh Steelers will again have a need at cornerback this offseason. Bleacher Report’s NFL staff argued that the team should look to its biggest rival, the Baltimore Ravens for a solution.
On January 10, the BR staff identified Ravens veteran cornerback Ronald Darby as Pittsburgh’s top 2024 free agent target.
“It isn’t cost-effective to keep [Patrick] Peterson around for his age-34 season. Levi Wallace wasn’t the answer at corner either,” the BR staff wrote. “Going after a top-of-the-market player isn’t likely going to be an option given the team’s cap situation.
“Ronald Darby just turned 30, so it isn’t like he’s young, but he probably has a few more years of decent production. He’s had a strong season for Baltimore, giving up a passer rating of 63.3 going into Week 18, per Pro Football Reference.”
Darby posted 28 combined tackles, including 1 tackle for loss with 7 pass defenses in 16 games this season with the Ravens. He’s also played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, the then Washington Football Team and Denver Broncos in his nine-year career.
In 2021, Darby signed a 3-year, $30 million contract with the Broncos.
How Ronald Darby Could Fit With the Pittsburgh Steelers
As the Bleacher Report NFL staff indicated, the Steelers will have some decisions to make this offseason with their secondary.
The Steelers signed veteran Patrick Peterson to a 2-year, $14 million deal last season. But he’s set to count as about a $9.78 million in 2024.
The BR staff argued that based on Peterson’s performance, he could be a cut candidate with that cap hit. However, Peterson has recently started playing safety and could possibly stay with the Steelers after a permanent position change for 2024.
As for Levi Wallace, there’s probably not much of a decision to be made. Wallace’s contract is set to expire, and he will very likely leave in free agency.
Therefore, even with the addition of rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers will need to add again at cornerback this offseason. Darby is a potential fit because he’s a possible addition who could make a significant impact immediately.
According to the Pro Football Focus player grades, Darby was the top performing cornerback on Baltimore’s defense during the regular season. He excelled particularly well in coverage. The PFF player grades rated both Peterson and Wallace below average in coverage this season.
Other CB Options for Steelers
Darby is an interesting potential addition for Pittsburgh, especially since such a move would also weaken the AFC North champions. But this offseason, Darby will hardly be the only cornerback rumored to be heading to the Steelers.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler connected the Steelers to Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson as early as the NFL’s trade deadline in October. PFF named the Steelers a potential landing spot for Johnson on January 9.
Johnson is likely a long shot addition for Pittsburgh. The 2023 Pro Bowl cornerback has expressed an interest in returning to Chicago. The Bears could place the franchise tag on Johnson to prevent him from reaching free agency.
Even if Johnson becomes a free agent, the Steelers might not have the cap space required to sign him. Spotrac projected Pittsburgh to be more than $6 million over the salary cap when free agency begins.
But NFL pundits have also connected the Steelers to cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL draft. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso projected the Steelers to select Penn State cornerback Kalen King in the first round.
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan could have options at cornerback. But if he prefers the veteran cornerback route again, Darby would make a lot of sense because of his experience and market value.
Darby played for the Ravens on a 1-year, $1.2 million contract during 2023.
