Under-the-Radar Steelers CB Impressing Mike Tomlin at Training Camp

As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue training camp, there will certainly be plenty of headlines to keep an eye on. Not only is quarterback Aaron Rodgers looking to get acclimated, but star cornerbacks like Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey are adjusting to new teams as well.

Someone else in the latter position group is managing to turn some heads at camp, though. If you ask head coach Mike Tomlin, cornerback Brandin Echols is worthy of praise this summer.

‘Reasonable’ to Expect More Plays From Brandin Echols

That’s especially true following a July 27 practice that saw the veteran record an interception. Speaking to the media after camp for the day, Tomlin tipped his cap to Echols.

“I like Echols a lot,” Tomlin said. “He’s a hard-working guy. He’s a professional certainly. We’ve competed against him in the past, not only as a defender, but as a core teamer. That’s a veteran guy that brings that energy every day. He’s made some plays, and it’s reasonable to expect that to continue.”

If anyone had doubts about Echols potentially making the 53-man roster, those should be extinguished after reading Tomlin’s comments. Barring an injury, it looks like the 27-year-old is valued on the Steelers’ depth chart.

Echols’ impact is twofold. On defense, he has nearly 1,400 snaps of experience playing cornerback for the New York Jets. Over the course of his rookie contract, he recorded 16 pass breakups and 5 interceptions while also scoring a pair of touchdowns. His coverage stats – 61.5 completion percentage and an 84.8 passer rating surrendered – are very solid. According to Pro Football Focus, Echols’ 61.2 coverage grade last season ranked 106th out of 222 cornerbacks.

Echols can play special teams, too. He brings an average of 210 third-phase snaps over the last three seasons. The Steelers appear to buy into that stock, as evidenced by his two-year contract worth $6 million. Echols can offer a little bit of everything.

Pittsburgh’s Secondary Looking Solid With Camp Progressing

Of course, no Steelers cornerback conversation would be complete without looking at the top of the depth chart. Assuming Father Time doesn’t take the first two as his next victims, it’s hard to find a better trio than Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Joey Porter Jr. That group has a versatile chess piece in Ramsey, a veteran stopper in Slay and a promising young piece in Porter for 2025. Echols will slot in behind them and serve as solid depth.

The safety room may not be as intriguing, but it certainly may be equally as important. With All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick being sent to the Miami Dolphins in the Ramsey trade, there’s a major need for someone to step up. The duo of DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill is facing plenty of pressure to rise to the occasion. Could Ramsey himself alleviate some of that? Sure, but it’ll be primarily those two (and perhaps Chuck Clark, who was signed early in camp).

Last season, Teryl Austin’s defense ranked 10th in EPA/play allowed per SumerSports. They were slightly worse against the pass, dropping to 13th. In what were deemed “likely pass” scenarios, they were 14th. With a new-look secondary, the hope is that figure will trend more toward great than solid.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with solid, however. Just take a look at what Echols has been this offseason