Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 offseason needs in 2019

2. Cornerback

When the Steelers spent a 2016 first round selection on Artie Burns they believed he’d be a solid starter for years to come. It hasn’t worked that way. Burns was benched halfway through last year which makes upgrading their options a cornerback a huge priority for Pittsburgh this offseason.

This is absolutely a spot that could be addressed with the team’s first round pick. There are quite a few cornerbacks who project to go around where Pittsburgh will make their first selection. Don’t be surprised if a guy like Greedy Williams or Deandre Baker ends up putting on a Steelers hat before the first round is over in April.

If that doesn’t happen, this could be the biggest contract the Pittsburgh front office hands out this year. They can’t afford to go into the 2019 campaign with Joe Haden and Coty Sensabaugh as their starters on the outside.

Unlike the linebacker position, cornerback isn’t a position that’s undervalued in free agency. Trying to nab a quality starter on the open market is going to prove cost prohibitive for the Steelers this offseason. Burns didn’t work out in round one back in 2016, but that won’t cause Pittsburgh to avoid the position to open the 2019 Draft.