Eagles Steal Steelers Potential Cornerback Target Before He Arrived In Pittsburgh

Stephens had been scheduled to attend the Steelers rookie minicamp, which runs through the weekend of May 9, but won't now. He joins an Eagles secondary that has been infused with young talent after the team disappointed in the 2023 season. The Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell with its first-round pick and added Cooper DeJean in the second round. 

Stephens impressed scouts at the Michigan State Pro Day by running the 40-yard dash in the 4.3s and benched 225 pounds 19 times. At 6'0" and 180 pounds, he has good size to play defensive back in the NFL. 

Steelers Continue To Figure Out Puzzle With Secondary 

The Steelers have a couple of certainties in the secondary going into the 2024 NFL season, but still have some other things that need to be worked out. Minkah Fitzpatrick and free agent addition DeShon Elliott look primed to take the starting spots at safety. Fitzpatrick had a troubling 2023 season. He only played 10 games due to injury and failed to produce a turnover for the first time in his career.

Trenton Thompson and Damontae Kazee are also options for the safety position for the team in depth roles. Thompson was thrust into playing time while the team dealt with injuries to Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal. 

Kazee started in 9 or 14 games last season. With the addition of Elliott, it will be interesting to see what kind of usage the veteran gets. He has a knack for creating turnovers, but has gotten into trouble with suspensions. He could factor into the Steelers' three-safety packages the team has experimented with in the past.

Porter Jr. has secured a starting job as an outside corner after an outstanding rookie season. Although it took him some time to enter the starting lineup, he displayed his potential to be an exceptional shutdown corner as the season progressed. On 60 targets, he allowed only one touchdown and a completion percentage of 47.6%.

The other outside corner spot is open as veterans Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace, who played that spot most often, aren't with the team anymore. Donte Jackson was acquired from the Carolina Panthers and figures to get the first shot at earning the job opposite Porter Jr. 

The team is also looking to fill the slot corner position. Darius Rush, Cory Trice Jr., and undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop are in the mix to take that role and/or a spot on the outside. Stephens might've been a candidate to compete for this job. 

While Pittsburgh loves its family connections, it can't always work out. 

Were you surprised Pittsburgh wasn't more aggressive to get Porter Jr.'s cousin?