Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Doneiko Slaughter at minicamp on June 3, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — One of the deepest parts of the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers might be the cornerbacks room, where the team has five players who have been full-time NFL starters, but that didn’t stop an unheralded part of that room from being a standout during OTAs and minicamp practices this spring.
Doneiko Slaughter, signed to the Steelers on a reserve/future contract in January, entered the spring as a near-total afterthought in a room that included Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols.
Even among the depth options, third-round rookie Daylen Everette — who also had a very strong spring — seemed like a much more likely choice to get significant playing time.
And while Everette did indeed stand out, Slaughter spent most of his spring playing right next to the rookie, and more than held his own. For a former undrafted free agent, it was an unexpected amount of playing time spent facing the top Pittsburgh offense.
Well, maybe a surprise to everyone else.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, man,” Slaughter, who goes by Neiko, said to Steelers Now. “It’s just the way I go about myself. I haven’t done anything yet either, so I just can’t be too high on myself. … The season isn’t here yet.”
Part of it was circumstance. Ramsey and Porter weren’t around the team much this spring. Dean spent time rehabbing a minor injury, and 2025 seventh-rounder Donte Kent is not yet 100% after an ACL injury. It opened up a lot of playing time for others.
But it’s clear there’s some confidence in Slaughter that goes well beyond his sparse pro resume and an unforeseen opportunity. He spent last year’s training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was released in August, and was out of football until the Steelers came calling in January.
With a totally new coaching staff, Slaughter sees this spring as an opportunity to show what he can do an even playing field with even the team’s veterans.
“They know me just as much as they know everybody else,” he said. “Everybody got to show what they can do, what they’re capable of, because it’s a new team.”
Slaughter did well, even when matched up against the likes of Steelers offensive veterans DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman. After spending most of last season watching from home, those are reps he was determined to take full advantage of.
“I’m just getting better every day, just learning from everybody, taking it day by day,” he said. “It’s a very valuable rep, because these guys have played in those high tempo environments already. So those quality reps against the real ones, it’ll take me a long way for sure.”
A spot on the 53-man roster at cornerback would be a tall ask for Slaughter, considering the amount of quality depth that’s ahead of him, but his strong spring has firmly established him as someone to watch at training camp, and he could very well have the inside track on a practice squad job this fall.
Acquired: The Steelers signed Slaughter to a reserve/future contract for the 2026 season on Jan. 20.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Doneiko Slaughter in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 9, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Last season: Slaughter signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas. He appeared in three preseason games for the Jaguars, including one against the Steelers on Aug. 9. He had two tackles against Pittsburgh and finished the preseason with eight tackles (tied for fifth on the Jaguars) and one pass defended.
Slaughter was released by the Jaguars on Aug. 26 as part of the team’s final round of roster cuts, and did not sign with another NFL team during the 2025 season.
DONEIKO SLAUGHTER NFL CAREER STATS
YearTeamGPGSTKLTFLSackINTPBUPFF2025JAX0000000N/A
DONEIKO SLAUGHTER COLLEGE CAREER
Nov 23, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (3) forces a fumble against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Tru Edwards (16) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 35-14. — Nelson Chenault / Imagn Images
Slaughter started his collegiate career at Tennessee before transferring to Arkansas for his final season of eligibility in 2024.
Slaughter grew his role over his four years at Tennessee. He started one game and totaled eight tackles as a freshman, recorded 16 tackles in 11 games in 2021, and finally earned a starting role in 2022, making two starts as a safety and five starts as a cornerback during the course of 12 games.
During his final two seasons at Tennessee, Slaughter racked up 63 tackles, one sack, one interception and seven passes defensed.
In 2024, Slaughter used the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic by enrolling at the University of Arkansas. He played as a starting defensive back in 13 games, registering 78 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and six passes defensed.
DONEIKO SLAUGHTER COLLEGE CAREER STATS
Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter is seen during Tennessee Football Media Day, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. — USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
YearCollegeGPGSTKLTFLSackINTPBUPFF2024Arkansas1313803.01.01658.92023Tennessee107321.01.00055.02022Tennessee127310.501771.42021Tennessee110163.01.00054.32020Tennessee10181.01.00062.7
DONIEKO SLAUGHTER PRE-DRAFT TESTING
Measured at Arkansas pro day: 5-foot-11 1/4, 195 pounds; 4.39-second 40-yard dash, 2.52-second 20-yard split, 1.56-second 10-yard split; 4.41-second shuttle, 7.30-second three-cone drill; 36-inch vertical, 9-foot-11 broad jump; 17 bench press reps.
Slaughter had a 7.56 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.
Slaughter is signed to a one-year contract worth $885,000 and he did not receiving a signing bonus. There will be no dead cap hit if the Steelers choose to release him. If he spends the 2026 season on the active roster, Slaughter will be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2027.
ODDS AND ENDS
Slaughter was a three-star prospect out of Roswell, Georgia, and picked Tennessee over offers from Arizona State, Boise State, Kansas, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi State and UCF, among others. … Slaughter originally attended Decatur High School before transferring to Roswell. … In November 2023, Slaughter was issued two reckless driving citations by UT Police after a win over Georgia.
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