The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is shaping up to be one of the best in the NFL again this season. This is despite having to replace several starters at key positions. One of those positions is at nickel cornerback where Mike Hilton is off to AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh is on the hunt for a replacement.
Head coach Mike Tomlin talked about the position and he offered up a very interesting point of view on the position.
There’s not just a cookie cutter, not just a nickel. There are first- and second-down nickels. There are third-down nickels, two-minute nickels. Versatility is a thing we value.
Translation: The Steelers don’t have a guy who can do everything Hilton could but they hope to recreate it with a handful. Players like Antoine Brooks Jr., James Pierre, Cameron Sutton and Arthur Maulet have all been in the mix for the nickel or inside cornerback spot at training camp. It would be ideal if a guy like Brooks could be everything Pittsburgh needs at the position but if the team can find a good rotation of guys that doesn’t tip the hand of the defense they are in, that works too.
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