3 Pittsburgh Steelers who could be cut before Week 1
By Randy Gurzi
Pittsburgh Steelers potential cut No. 2: Justin Layne, CB
CB. player. 55. Steelers. Justin Layne. 2. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Entering the 2019 NFL Draft, Justin Layne was considered a day two pick with the potential to be a starter down the road. He had the size (6-foot-2, 192-pounds) and length (33-inch arms) to cause problems for opposing receivers — and did well enough in testing to show he had the athleticism as well.
The physical defensive back was taken in Round 3, No. 83 overall — and while that was still during the second night of the draft, it seemed to be a bit later than expected. The good news for him was that he landed with a stellar defense that could help him reach his potential.
However, as he enters his fourth year in the NFL, that has yet to happen. Layne has been a role player for all three seasons of his career. He appeared in just 10 games as a rookie but has since played in all 33 games the past two campaigns but has yet to record a single start.
He’s also yet to pick off a pass or register a pass breakup and has just 41 career tackles. This season, the Steelers added Levi Wallace as a replacement for Joe Haden and are hoping to see Ahkello Witherspoon return to health after playing just nine games in 2021.
They also have Cameron Sutton and Tre Norwood, which pushes Layne down the depth chart and makes him a candidate to be let go before Week 1.