Steelers followers love a sleeper, and so they might have one in coaching camp at cornerback, in accordance with author Mike DeFabo. They might use one too, each on the skin and the within, not less than for depth functions. Previewing the protection for The Athletic, he supplied the next write-up about second-year participant D’Shawn Jamison:
A comparatively unknown participant has the prospect to shock in coaching camp. The 5-foot-9, 186-pound defensive again’s fluid and athletic actions stood out throughout offseason exercises. He’s a darkish horse candidate to discover a position on particular groups and as a reserve within the nickel.
A 2023 faculty free agent out of Texas, D’Shawn Jamison initially signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Waived throughout last roster cuts, spent the remainder of the season with the Carolina Panthers. There, he performed in 15 video games, beginning one, logging 107 defensive snaps and 155 particular groups snaps. Having spent the 2024 season on the Steelers’ follow squad, he may very well be a sleeper within the secondary this summer season.
As I mentioned, Pittsburgh might use depth each inside and out of doors, and he can play each, even at 5-9. The truth that D’Shawn Jamison can do each, nevertheless, solely will increase his potential to impress the Steelers as a sleeper.
Collegiately, he posted some strong numbers, with six profession interceptions for the Longhorns. Jamison returned one for a landing and recorded 17 passes defensed. The Steelers additionally know his return background, so he is usually a sleeper for a number of roles.
At Texas, D’Shawn Jamison recorded a 26.6-yard kick return common on 54 returns, together with two touchdowns. He additionally has 43 profession punt returns in faculty, even when Pittsburgh has Calvin Austin III for that. The Steelers love a participant who can put on many hats, and he does match that individual criterion. He even returned two kicks whereas he was with the Panthers. Though he allowed a landing in protection, he posted 10 tackles and one move defensed.
If Jamison desires to make the Steelers’ roster, Danny Smith higher see him as greater than a sleeper. Reserve cornerbacks, nearly invariably, should be common contributors on particular groups. He can try this, past even returns, which is an efficient factor. Steelers HC Mike Tomlin could be very hesitant to place defenders in return roles, even once they have a historical past.
Proper now, the cornerback room appears one thing like this: Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Beanie Bishop Jr., Brandin Echols, Cory Trice Jr., and maybe James Pierre. Pierre is strictly a special-teamer at this level, although, and so they already let him unfastened a 12 months in the past. There’s a winnable job right here for D’Shawn Jamison, however it received’t be simple. That’s, after all, why the 26-year-old Steelers DB is taken into account a sleeper and never a lock.
