The Pittsburgh Steelers are back at training camp on Saturday after their successful first preseason game under head coach Mike McCarthy. While most of the starters didn’t play Thursday night, there was still plenty of information for the coaching staff to evaluate. There is plenty to improve on as the Steelers look to build momentum through their final two preseason games. One name who was quiet Thursday night was cornerback Jamel Dean. That’s not a bad thing for a cornerback, and one former Steelers Super Bowl champion believes Dean might be a massive steal.
Max Starks was on Steelers Nation Radio and praised Dean, stating that he is everything the Steelers hoped he’d be to this point.
"[Dean is] as advertised. He comes in here and he plays as advertised … The dude was ranked by all, you know, whether it’s PFF or whatever source that ranks percentages, he came out number one a year ago. He plays like the number one cornerback," Starks said.
Dean’s presence sweetens the secondary standing
Dean spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, starting 54 games over his final four seasons there. He finished 2025 with 46 tackles, nine passes defensed, and three interceptions, including a pick-six. More impressively, Tampa Bay recorded a 43.1% completion rate when quarterbacks targeted Dean, while his 41.3 passer rating allowed ranked best among qualifying cornerbacks.
That production gives Pittsburgh another proven outside corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr. Dean can handle one boundary while Porter takes the other, giving the Steelers a combination with size, experience, and ball skills.
Deepest Steelers cornerback group in recent memory
The Steelers also have remarkable depth behind their top two corners. Asante Samuel Jr. has already made a strong impression during training camp, while rookie Daylen Everette brings intriguing upside. Jalen Ramsey gives Pittsburgh another veteran with elite experience, and Brandin Echols provides additional NFL experience.
With Dean, Porter, Samuel, Everette, Ramsey, and Echols, Pittsburgh has multiple capable options for its secondary. Injuries have tested that depth early, but once the group is healthy, the Steelers could have one of their deepest cornerback rooms in years.
