Both Steelers Slot Corners Have Earned Roster Spots

The Pittsburgh Steelers have housed position battles across their defense during training camp, but none as crucial or as tense as the battle to play nickel cornerback. 

Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley have both turned in strong training camps, giving defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and the rest of the front office a tough choice to make. 

"I think those guys are both making a case that they belong. I think they've each made some plays,"  Austin said. "They've each shown improvement, which I think is what I'm looking for from game one to game two."

Riley has been a fantastic special teams player, laying big hits on punt coverage against both the Buccaneers and Bills in preseason action in addition to intercepting a pass and making four tackles. 

Sullivan has given him an almost non-existent margin for error with an interception of his own against Tampa Bay and practice upon practice of reliable pass coverage reps. 

Roster calculus is getting fickle around this time of year, with the Steelers holding more NFL-worthy talent than roster spots and final cuts awaiting on the other side of the third and final preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. But at slot corner, the Steelers shouldn't choose between Riley and Sullivan because they're both capable of being valuable contributors. 

The reality is that the Steelers are deep at tight end, defensive tackle, inside linebacker and even wide receiver. Noah Strackbein made a bold move in his latest 53-man roster predictions, cutting Zach Gentry to make room for both Riley and Sullivan and there are other places the team could make room.

At the end of the day, Tanner Muse, Armon Watts Montravius Adams and Gentry have a lower likelihood of contributing with the frequency and magnitude of either Riley and Sullivan, who bring versatility alongside their strong play in the slot. 

"I think there's room if you have another skill set," Austin said. "[Riley] can play safety, [Sullivan] can play corner - if you can play another position that's not your main position, I think that gives you an opportunity to keep two. Or if one's a special teams demon - that obviously really factors into things."

Austin said the competition is ongoing and close, with a final decision to be made later in the week. But if the Steelers are looking for an odd man out, Sullivan and Riley are not it.