The majority of NFL analysts are urging the Pittsburgh Steelers to strengthen their secondary. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN did not exclude the possibility that the Steelers might re-sign veteran cornerback Levi Wallace, one of their free agents.
Fowler noted, “Wallace has been a solid starter over two years in Pittsburgh, producing six interceptions and 12 pass breakups since 2022. The Steelers’ free agency class is not star-studded.” “If he signs a new two-year contract, I could see him being there until free agency.
In 2022 and 2023, Wallace started nine games and nine matches. He recorded 24 pass defenses, 6 interceptions, and 86 total tackles in 31 games throughout the previous two years.
The only other free agent from the Steelers who started nine or more games in 2023 is the 28-year-old.
Why Levi Wallace, a cornerback, might return to the Steelers
It would make sense for the Steelers to focus on re-signing Wallace if there were no other top free agency targets. The only other free agent on the Steelers who started more than five games last season is defensive end Montravius Adams.
Wallace may be useful for Pittsburgh even if the Steelers make the additions Matt Miller of ESPN predicted—that is, assuming they choose cornerbacks in the NFL draft. This is because Pittsburgh has unrestricted free agents in cornerbacks James Pierre, Chandon Sullivan, and Elijah Riley in addition to Wallace.
Only three cornerbacks who were active at the end of 2023—Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., and Darius Rush—have signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the next year. Additionally, Peterson might be a cap casualty this summer due to his $9.775 million salary charge.
Wallace’s return might provide the Steelers with much-needed depth and experience at the cornerback position, where the players may be significantly younger in 2024.
The Case Against Wallace’s Re-Signing with the Steelers
Wallace was regarded by Fowler as sturdy. However, not all metrics would concur.
Wallace was ranked 59th out of 78 cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus in 2023 who saw at least 50% of their team’s defensive snaps. He wasn’t very good at anything, and PFF said that he was especially bad in run defense.
Wallace had his best NFL season despite improving during the course of the season, according to the PFF evaluations.
It wasn’t until Wallce’s playing time reduced that his PFF metric started to rise. He participated in at least 93% of the team’s defensive snaps in each of the team’s first five weeks of play.
Wallace just once had a player grade of more than 59 (out of100) throughout that time.
Wallace did not participate in Week 8 due to a foot ailment. Porter replaced him in the starting lineup upon his return, taking on the responsibility of defending the top receiver on the other team.
Wallace then went on to score a player grade of at least 59 in eight of the team’s remaining eleven games.
After giving Wallace a new contract, the Steelers might be able to find him a fitting role, as Porter is expected to stay as the team’s top cornerback. At the end of the regular season, Wallace recorded three starts with higher PFF player grades.
In an ideal world, though, the Steelers would select a better cornerback in the draft. It will also be up to them to find a superior veteran choice in free agency than Wallace.