The Steelers’ cornerback room will look significantly different with free agent addition Patrick Peterson and second-round rookie Joey Porter Jr. How large of a workload the latter handles right away will go a long way in determining Pittsburgh’s secondary plans. 
As detailed by Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Porter is firmly in contention for a starting role as a perimeter corner (subscription required). If he is able to secure that spot, Peterson would be well-positioned to transition from outside corner duties to more of a hybrid alignment which would see him log considerable time as a safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. Such a scenario was discussed between Peterson and the Steelers’ coaching staff not long after his arrival on a two-year deal.
In the event Porter earns a first-team spot, veteran Levi Wallace would line up opposite him. The latter logged a 76% snap share in 2022, his first Steelers campaign. The former Bills UDFA had a strong showing with four interceptions, 13 pass deflections and a 53.2% completion percentage allowed in coverage. One year remains on his contract, and he is due to carry a $5.48MM cap hit – more than a reasonable rate for a full-time starter at the CB spot.
As Kaboly notes, Wallace is assured of starting regardless of if Porter wins the job opposite him, or Peterson is used in his traditional corner spot. In the latter case, Porter would be used off the bench and Chandon Sullivan would be used in the slot. Matching his performance from last season would allow Wallace, 28, to handle and uptick in playing time and put himself in a strong position ahead of free agency while giving Pittsburgh a consistent performer in the secondary.
Beyond that, questions will be raised about Porter’s readiness to play a major role as a rookie – something he was thought to be capable of coming out of college as one of the highest-rated members of this year’s strong corner class. At the age of 33, a move to safety would also likely pay dividends for Peterson with respect to prolonging his career and ensuring his effectiveness with a third career team.
Wallace is solid. Very much like Steven Nelson was: a steady good #2 corner who you generally don’t have to worry about.
Agreed. There aren’t many solid #2 corners today that you can call to mind-most good corners you think of being #1 guys. It’s harder to pick another non-lead corner that you’d pair alongside them off the top of your head. They’re out there, they’re harder to name than your lead guys-and non strictly slot/nickel corners, either.
Rasul Douglas in Green Bay comes to mind, for example. D.J. Reed in New York. Greg Newsome in Cleveland. Darious Williams in Jacksonville.
Those are good examples. And to me it’s a big deal that your #2 corner is also a good run defender, or that at least 1 of your 2 starters is (in Pittsburgh that’s almost mandatory). And Wallace is that, too.