Steel City Underground presents it’s ‘Upon Review’ series of Pittsburgh Steelers positional group grades for the 2025 NFL season with statistical analysis and performance reviews.
The Pittsburgh Steelers leaned heavily on a patchwork group of defensive backs in 2025, a season that brought flashes of promise but also inconsistency in pass coverage. Pittsburgh finished 10-7 and atop the AFC North, but its defensive backfield drew mixed reviews as opposing pass offenses frequently tested the secondary. We look at the cornerbacks and safeties.
Key members
Joey Porter Jr: (Grade: A)
Porter led the Steelers with 14 passes defensed, second among the team’s defensive backs. According to Pro Football Reference snap counts, Porter maintained a starting role for throughout the season.
Porter showed physicality and battled opposing teams’ top receivers. His streak of not having allowed a touchdown (in man coverage) continued; he has not allowed a touchdown since Week 8 of his rookie season.
James Pierre: (Grade: A-)
Pierre emerged as one of the most consistent cornerback on the Steelers’ roster after starting the year as a depth piece – as he had in previous seasons. Arguably, it was a career season for Pierre.
Pierre’s ability to limit receptions and make plays on the ball stood out in a Steelers defense that struggled at times in coverage metrics. In five starts, Pierre finished second to Porter with 11 passes defensed.
Jalen Ramsey: (Grade: B)
All-Pro veteran Jalen Ramsey brought veteran star power to the unit. Involved in the transaction with the Miami Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ramsey joined the Steelers in the summer. Asked to play an a-typical role early in the season, Ramsey moved to free safety for the first time in his career. Though still capable in isolation, his overall impact did not always match the lofty expectations placed on him in the open field.
Among all defensive backs, Ramsey led the group with 88 tackles (4 for a loss) and 3 sacks. He added 8 pass defenses and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Brandin Echols: (Grade: C)
Echols was a free agent addition to the team in the Spring. He earned a spot at slot corner which freed-up Ramsey’s transition. With 3 starts in 16 games played, Echols did grab two key interceptions but wasn’t as consistent as one would hope in the secondary.
Asante Samuel Jr: (Grade: C)
Samuel was a mid-season acquisition after the secondary showed it needed help being consistent and the Steelers lost DeShon Elliott to injury in Week 8. He was signed to the practice squad in November and joined the active roster just 13 days before he grabbed a big interception off Tua Tagovailoa. According to Pro Football Reference advanced defensive metrics, Samuel provided a solid coverage grade in the games he played, helping stabilize Pittsburgh’s depth as injuries hit the unit.
The rotational players
Chuck Clark was asked to help replace Elliott as well, but his injury led the Steelers to make a trade to acquire Kyle Dugger. Dugger held down the strong safety position in the second half of the season, earning two interception including a pick-six off of the Cincinnati Bengals. When Clark returned, he did so as a role player but ended his season with 45 tackles.
Undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro saw limited time in nine games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled him off the Steelers practice squad but upon his return, Castro was a depth piece and played in the Steelers’ playoff appearance.
Cornerbacks Donte Kent and Cory Trice Jr. spent the season on injured reserve while fellow corner D’Shawn Jamison played 11 snaps with the special teams unit at the terminus of the season.
Final group grade: (B-)
Turnovers boosted the Steelers secondary that saw itself tested by injuries, rotation, personnel matchups, and opponents. This is a group that got better only to suffer a setback. With several members looking at becoming free agents soon, it will be interesting to see how a new staff in Pittsburgh deal with uncertainty and reinforce the defensive backfield.