One of many Pittsburgh Steelers’ greater strikes in free company this offseason was the signing of cornerback Darius Slay. Regardless of prepping for his thirteenth NFL season, it’s clear that Slay can nonetheless play. The objective of immediately’s article is to see some statistical areas the place Slay was superior final season, and maybe what he may mentor the room and the younger Joey Porter Jr. in.
Being a disruptive protection nook is right, and Slay was one of many prime males on the place final season. A part of that image is pressured incompletions and move breakups, and I’ll spotlight Slay and Porter for our functions:
Slay was clearly essentially the most disruptive nook in these phrases, with 17 pressured incompletions and 16 move breakups. Every ranked first, and have been two greater than every other participant on the place. Fairly a formidable feat for the veteran, and a skillset that Pittsburgh must be thrilled that they acquired.
As compared, Porter lands under the imply with eight pressured incompletions (T-Twenty third) and 5 move breakups (T-Thirty first). That was out of 47 qualifiers with a minimal of 500 protection snaps, weaning out the marvel of this being a possibility difficulty.
Porter has proven potential to be a lockdown nook, however his aggression led to a league-most 17 penalties in 2024. It’s higher to say whoa than sick ‘em, and Slay seems to be a perfect mentor on paper in hopes of aiding Porter’s hopeful enchancment on this space and extra.
In flip, I like the probabilities that might enhance Porter’s protection disruption on an analogous chart in 2025.
Yet another visible to emphasise Slay’s hopeful affect in 2025. Listed here are PFF protection grades and catch charges allowed:
As soon as once more, Slay lands comfortably above the imply in every. His 75.5 protection grade ranked twelfth in 2024, with an excellent stronger 51.7 catch fee allowed that was third-best. The latter emphasizes that regardless of his age, even when Slay didn’t get his fingers on the ball, he was among the best corners at shutting down the opposition final season.
This was on Philadelphia’s Tremendous Bowl run, thoughts you, and clearly an integral a part of that accomplishment. General, the Slay addition appears undervalued by the fan base, and the Steelers are banking on him defeating Father Time for at the very least yet one more season.
On the opposite aspect of the coin is Porter, under common in every as soon as once more. A 56.3 protection grade ranked thirty eighth (tenth-worst) and was almost 20 factors decrease than Slay’s. Porter’s catch fee allowed was 67.1, touchdown at thirty second, additionally considerably decrease than his new mentor.
Contemplating all of the essential parts of protection these stats think about, I just like the possibilities of Slay being a plus participant and mentor for Porter (and others) in Pittsburgh. Add in that Slay appeared to play that position admirably for a secondary with loads of youth final season on a championship Eagles squad, and it’s exhausting to not be inspired.
Do you suppose it’s going to go as effectively for Slay and firm in Pittsburgh?
