On paper, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t enter the draft with a screaming need at cornerback. Not even a whimper. Jamel Dean signed a good-money contract to start opposite Joey Porter Jr. Asante Samuel Jr. re-upped to stay. Brandin Echols remains after a strong first year in Pittsburgh and Jalen Ramsey wasn’t cut, giving the team a versatile safety and cornerback.

So why draft Daylen Everette in the third round? A top-100 pick is no small investment. Not just a depth or pure competition move. There’s an expectation for him to, at some point, play significant snaps. What’s the plan?

A couple of reasons.

Dean is going to start. No question. He’s also likely going to miss time. In his previous seven NFL seasons, Dean has never played a full year. There haven’t been any major injuries, but small and nagging ones that cost him a handful of games. In 2025, he missed three games. In 2024, he sat out five. In 2022 and 2023, he missed a combined six of them.

Turning 30 before Halloween, it’s doubtful Dean will begin holding up any better. Depth will be tested with someone else called into action. Everette might not be the first man up; that likely goes to Samuel. But if other injuries mount, a guy like Everette could be counted on. At the least, he has to be ready.

Pittsburgh might not need Everette now, but that equation could change one year from now. Samuel and Echols are on expiring contracts. Ramsey is likely in his final season. He’ll be 33 mid-way through 2027 with a large salary. And while it’s assumed Joey Porter Jr. will receive a contract extension, no deal is done until it’s done. Right now, he’s a pending free agent next March, too.

Other depth that Pittsburgh may have counted on haven’t proven reliable. Or available. Cory Trice Jr.’s injury woes continue. Donte Kent hurt his foot in training camp, returned to practice, and promptly tore his ACL. It’s unclear whether either will be ready for OTAs and training camp. Even if they are, Trice can’t be depended on to make it through the summer healthy, and Kent’s yet to play in an NFL game.

Finally, cornerback depth is key. Teams can never have “too much.” A premium position where you can’t be thin. Pittsburgh’s in the AFC North, facing Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins twice a year. Baltimore and Cleveland loaded up on wide receivers in the draft and will be better stocked than in 2024. The more options defenses have, the better off they’ll be.

Daylen Everette might not have a large role out of the gate. His focus could be on special teams and winning a gunner job to replace James Pierre’s role. Even if it wasn’t a top need, Pittsburgh made a shrewd move by adding depth at such a crucial position.