Putting it respectfully, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a below-average defensive season in 2025. It was hard for the fans of Pittsburgh to trust what ended up being the 26th-ranked total defense in the league. The pass defense was even worse, as it allowed 243.9 yards per game through the air (29th).
This is why the cornerback position could be one that Pittsburgh addresses in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. In fact, according to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballatine, the missing piece on defense for the Steelers in 2026 could be Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Pittsburgh Steelers Could Find Defensive Solution with Avieon Terrell
GettyClemson cornerback Avieon Terrell played in 39 games for the Tigers across three seasons.
Terrell will likely be one of the draft’s most coveted backend defenders. After a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, the two-time All-ACC performer is likely to have plenty of teams interested in him. Here is what Ballentine had to say about why Terrell could help the Steelers:
“Jalen Ramsey was supposed to finally fill the cornerback spot across from Joey Porter Jr. He ended the season by transitioning to safety.”
Ballentine went on to mention that Terrell could be one of the best possible solutions for the team as it pertains to the draft. From 2023-2025 at Clemson, the Georgia native recorded 90 solo tackles, 25 pass deflections, and eight forced fumbles. With the ability to play all over the field, he could be a key addition for a defense that is desperate for help along the boundary and in the slot.
One More Elite Defensive Back Could Cement Steelers’ Defense
GettySteelers All-Pro edge-rusher T.J. Watt has 115 career sacks.
While new head coach Mike McCarthy now possesses an aging defense, it is still a unit filled with talent on paper. Led by future Hall of Fame defensive linemen T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, the Steelers have plenty of ammunition to get after opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. In the middle of the defense, Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen can run sideline to sideline with the best of them.
On the backend of the defense, the likes of All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are solid starters. Of course, one more shutdown cornerback couldn’t hurt the team at all. In fact, it might be necessary after the Steelers’ defense struggled to get off the field more often than not in 2025. It allowed 352 first downs in the regular season (25th).
If Pittsburgh could land a top-tier college cornerback such as Terrell, that may cause opposing quarterbacks to have to hold onto the football longer. But when players such as Watt and Heyward are bearing down on them, they may end up putting the football in harm’s way.
All eyes will be on the Steelers when they come on the clock at pick No. 21 in late April. Fresh off its first AFC North crown in five years, Pittsburgh will look to build off another 10-win season, this time with a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades.
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