Mike Hilton has been sorely missed among the Steelers defense since injuring his shoulder in Week 5 versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hilton isn’t shy about showing off his versatility and is significantly better in pass rush than coverage or versus the run.
Pro Football Focus grades him 62.6 in run defense, 61.4 in coverage and 88.0 pass rush. As Steelers Wire noted a few days ago, Hilton’s absence is a big reason why Pittsburgh has played more zone in recent weeks than they’ve been known for this season.
Per PFF, Hilton is currently ranked second in total pressures among cornerbacks. I’m actually not seeing a corner who has more pressures than Hilton, who has eight (three sacks, two hits, three hurries). Arizona’s Byron Murphy is next with six, followed by Tampa Bay’s Sean Murphy-Bunting and the Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey tied with five.
Hopefully, we’ll get some good news on the Hilton front this week, but I’d much rather he sit versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pittsburgh will need him at 100 percent for the final six games, which will be a rough stretch.
Mike Hilton is 2nd in total pressures among CBs#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/Mr0gdp53sk
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) November 17, 2020
