Steelers Mid-Preseason Report Card

The Steeler’s secondary continues to be a chink in their otherwise sturdy armor. This preseason has only shown how much more work there is to do at the positions.

This was unexpected. Cockrell has by no means been a stud in the Steelers secondary, but for the most part, he has been a solid stop gap. But so far this preseason there has been a lot of this.

That is undrafted rookie Reggie Davis toasting first-string cornerback Ross Cockrell. And I know that is just one play, but the word around camp is that he has looked pretty bad there as well.

I know that’s the best receiver in the league. But it isn’t exactly a vote of confidence for a cornerback that has been a starter in Pittsburgh for a few years now.

Cockrell will definitely make this roster, but hopefully, he can make some improvement over the second half of the preseason.

If you are still a Senquez Golson truther. I have a message for you. Let it go! Don’t worry though; the next former Ole Miss Rebel will help ease your pain.

Mike Hilton has stolen the show both in camp and in his first two preseason games. With Cockrell looking rusty, Golson eternally injured, and rookie Cam Sutton banged up, Hilton has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise very dreary place… The Steelers secondary.

The former Ole Miss Rebel shined in game one leading the Steelers in tackles, including a fumble recovery and a sack. Hilton’s buzz continued into camp and into the next matchup with the New York Giants.

Although Hilton recorded only a single tackle and one pass deflection, his big play of the game came when he hit Falcon’s quarterback Matt Simms in the endzone for what should’ve been a safety.

Hilton has shown a willingness to tackle and pressure the quarterback and has done well in pass coverage. Hilton seemed like a long-shot to make the roster, but with hype continuing to grow, Hilton looks to be extremely close to being of the final 53.