What Does Brandon Boykin Trade Mean for the Steelers CB Position?

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a roster move over the weekend, trading a conditional fifth-round 2016 draft pick with the Philadelphia Eagles in order to snag cornerback Brandon Boykin.

Boykin has appeared in all 48 games during his three seasons with the Eagles, with six starts. He served as the team's slot receiver and has a total of 102 solo tackles, 31 passes defensed and seven interceptions in that time. He adds additional veteran presence on a very young and untested Steelers cornerbacks corps that, at one point, could have been in line to field two rookies—Senquez Golson and Doran Grant—as starters.

The likelihood of Golson starting this year, however, is rapidly dwindling. Golson has been on the physically unable to perform list with a shoulder injury since training camp began on July 25. And now, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette is reporting that Golson is considering undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the shoulder, one believed to have been injured at some point during spring practices.

Year	Games	Starts	Solo T.	PD	INT
2012	16	4	24	5	0
2013	16	2	42	17	6
2014	16	0	36	9	1
Total	48	6	102	31	7

But it's possible that the Steelers would have made the move for Boykin regardless of Golson's status. Last year, the Steelers defense ranked 27th in passing yards allowed and tied for 28th in passing touchdowns allowed, all while totaling just 11 interceptions. 

One-time starter, Cortez Allen, was demoted to the slot, then to the bench, before landing on season-ending injured reserve with a thumb injury. Taking his place were Antwon Blake and Brice McCain; Blake could reprise his starting role alongside William Gay this year, but McCain headed to the Miami Dolphins in free agency.

So the Steelers were faced with hoping that a rebuilt Allen could rebound from his poor 2014 while banking on Gay and Blake to remain starters. Otherwise, Golson and Grant could find themselves on the field, potentially before they were really ready.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Boykin adds veteran experience as well as a proven track record as a successful cornerback. In 2014, Boykin ranked 21st (out of 108) among cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus' metrics. His coverage grade ranked him 19th. Both were higher than any of the Steelers' 2014 cornerbacks, with Gay coming closest at No. 31. Boykin also ranked 12th in slot performance.

Though Boykin was primarily used in the slot in Philadelphia, he isn't a one-trick pony. As he said to the Steelers' official website after being signed, "I have played in every scheme. I feel like I am a versatile guy. I feel like that is what I pride myself on, just being able to play everything. Whether it is on special teams, nickel, inside or outside I am going to do whatever they ask me to do and do it with a smile on my face, and that is just kind of how I am."

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Thus, Boykin could very well be the Steelers' slot cornerback this year, or work on the outside—or he could do both, allowing the Steelers to be a bit more versatile in the secondary. 

Another plus is that Boykin is a well-established return man on special teams, something that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also liked about him. In Philadelphia, Boykin returned 54 kickoffs for 1,242 yards, or an average of 23 yards per return. In college at Georgia, kick returns were also his specialty—he returned 110 of them for 2,663 yards and four scores in four seasons.

Though he's had little experience returning punts, doing so only once for the Eagles in 2012 and 14 times for 180 yards and a touchdown for Georgia in 2011, it's something he's also capable of contributing to the Steelers this year. The Steelers are continuing their hunt for their most reliable options at kick and punt returner this summer, and Boykin should insinuate himself in that discussion in short order.

Given the state of the Steelers cornerback position dating back to the 2014 season, it's hard not to see the trade for Boykin as an upgrade at the position. Now the Steelers don't have to rely on rookies, don't have to suffer much harm should Golson opt for surgery and have a way to move Allen to the bench if his struggles from last year aren't quite yet behind him, all while potentially finding a great solution at either kick or punt returner.

For a conditional fifth-round pick, the Steelers ended up with quite the haul.