After drafting pair of big CBs, Steelers announce signing of slot/nickel Chandon Sullivan
The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the draft seeking to add cornerbacks both for the outside and in the slot. After selecting two players who project much more so to the former, they quickly signed a veteran to address the latter.
The Steelers on Tuesday announced the signing of Chandon Sullivan, a 5-foot-11, 188-pound defensive back who’s mostly played the nickel position over his first five NFL seasons.
Sullivan spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings — playing 81% of their defensive snaps — but spent his undrafted rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, followed by three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
The Steelers added Joey Porter Jr. (6-2 ½, 193) and Cory Trice Jr. (6-3, 206) with second- and seventh-round picks, respectively, last week.
Sullivan, who has not missed a game over any of the past four seasons, will likely compete (or share time) with Arthur Maulet as the Steelers’ nickel. Last season, Maulet shared that role with Cameron Sutton, who left to sign a $33 million, three-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
Chandon Sullivan went ALL THE WAY UP with that pick ???? @showtimesully10 pic.twitter.com/K6OqrSs0gD
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 6, 2019
Among the 71 cornerbacks who played at least 395 coverage snaps last season, Sullivan graded out as 65th by Pro Football Focus in coverage and 69th in completion percentage when targeted (78.9%).
Minnesota allowed the second-most passing yards (4,515) and third-most net yards per pass attempt (6.9) in the NFL — and the Steelers have now signed two of their most-used defensive backs. They signed veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson in March.
Sullivan and Peterson join returnees Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon and Maulet at cornerback for the Steelers, with safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee and utility DB Tre Norwood also back from 2022.
Sullivan has 71 games, 31 starts, five interceptions, 23 passes defended and 169 tackles in his career. He was one of only 35 cornerbacks to blitz at least 23 times last season (per PFF). He managed four pressures and batted down two balls.
The Steelers, more than most NFL teams, ask their nickel cornerbacks to rush the passer on occasion.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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