Mark Madden: While many draft needs were addressed, the Steelers still need a cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft did a lot to fix their offense, specifically their running game.

But is their defense broken?

The Steelers’ playmaking defense has been the team’s cornerstone the last two seasons.

It was third- and second-best in yards allowed per play in 2020 (4.9) and 2019 (4.7). It was second in takeaways (27) last season, first (38) in ‘19.

But, after the Steelers shored up their offense — as they should have — by using their first four draft picks on that side of the ball, the defense now lacks in some areas.

Edge rusher Alex Highsmith seems overrated via wishful thinking, and it’s certain that he’s no Bud Dupree. (Then again, nor was Dupree his first four seasons.)

Inside linebackers Robert Spillane and Vince Williams are subpar in coverage and get exploited thusly. An old-fashioned run-stuffing ‘backer is superfluous in the pass-crazy NFL.

The second level of the Steelers’ defense seems hit-or-miss: two stars in Devin Bush and T.J. Watt, two borderline starters in Spillane and Highsmith. The very mediocre Terrell Edmunds is standing right behind them.

Then there’s the cornerback position to consider.

The Steelers might flat-out stink at cornerback. They should have found a way to keep Steven Nelson, who is still a free agent but likely has too much pride to return on the cheap after being cut.

Joe Haden is 32. Cam Sutton has started eight NFL games. Justin Layne has barely played. James Pierre is one of those guys the Steelers “like” without evident reason. Seventh-round pick Tre Norwood is just that, a seventh-round pick. Free-agent signing Shakur Brown is said to be the best undrafted cornerback. I’d prefer to have the worst drafted cornerback.

Haden is proven but old. Sutton has potential but is better in the slot than outside.

The Steelers need to sign a cornerback. But at this stage of free agency, the options are not plentiful. (The best is probably Nelson.)

Richard Sherman is the biggest name available. But he’s 33. He’s also really loud.

Brian Poole seems the best fit.

Poole, 28, played for Atlanta in that 2017 Super Bowl choke vs. New England. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. He played for the New York Jets these past two seasons. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Poole missed half of last season with shoulder and knee injuries. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Poole is 5-foot-10: not big. He’s a ready tackler. He’s smart and instinctive.

Overall, he’s no better than average. But Poole is a legit slot corner, and the Steelers need another one of those.

Let’s see how Sutton does when he’s outside in the base package but inside in sub packages. How he handles switching back and forth.

The Steelers play in their sub packages 70-75% of the time. That puts Sutton mostly inside. That’s good for Sutton. That’s his comfort zone. It might be bad for the Steelers. The de facto nickel will be someone unproven and could be on the field 70-75% of the time.

The cornerback position might be a disaster for the Steelers.

What if the defense declines more than the offense improves?

That’s not meant to criticize the Steelers’ draft. They had to get the arrow pointed up for the running game. But given the youth that must be served, it’s easy to imagine the running game coalescing in 2022 when somebody besides Ben Roethlisberger is at quarterback. It’s also easy to imagine the defense slipping from elite to above-average in 2021.

Does that all add up to a playoff berth? The margin will be tight either way.