Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 5 players from the 2019 season
By Samuel Teets
4. Joe Haden/Steven Nelson, CBs
Is combining two players cheating? Probably, but it’s hard to draw a line between Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. Why reward one when both can fit together in the fifth spot?
While Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Minkah Fitzpatrick early in the season solidified the team’s secondary as one of the best in the NFL, Haden and Nelson served as the foundation. Along with Mike Hilton, the cornerbacks gave Pittsburgh its best lockdown defensive back combination in over a decade.
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Early in his career, Haden looked like a future sensation. The Cleveland Browns took the Florida product with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He intercepted six passes as a rookie and eventually built himself into a Pro Bowl cornerback. Haden made Pro Bowls in 2013 and 2014, and the Associated Press selected him as a Second Team All-Pro in 2013.
Unfortunately, Haden’s 2015 season ended due to an injury after just five games. He returned in 2016, but the Browns chose to move on from Haden before the 2017 season, cutting him. The Steelers swooped in, signing the former Pro Bowler.
Before the 2019 season, Haden and Pittsburgh agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension. Betting on the 30-year-old cornerback paid off. Haden led the Steelers in interceptions (five) and passes defensed (17). Recently, the Steelers announced that Haden will play in the third Pro Bowl of his career. He replaces the injured Marcus Peters.
As for Nelson, the Steelers signed him to a three-year, $25.5 million deal in free agency. The former third-round pick did intercept four passes with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, but also gave up big plays and offenses targeted him.
Nelson flipped the script with the Steelers. Worthy of a Pro Bowl selection himself, Nelson intercepted one pass and recorded eight passes defensed in 2019. Those numbers may not seem flattering, but they show a once highly-targeted corner transitioning into a feared defender.