The Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their cornerback depth by signing Tre Flowers to the 53-man roster, filling the void left by WR DK Metcalf's suspension. Metcalf's two-game ban for a fan altercation means Flowers will step in, donning the number 23 jersey. Standing tall at over 6'3 and 202 pounds, with nearly 34-inch arms, Flowers fits the Steelers' mold of a big cornerback. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and has since appeared in 97 games, starting 44. Flowers has recorded four interceptions, three in 2019, and boasts a strong special teams background with nearly 1,200 snaps. His versatility shines through his experience playing both inside and outside cornerback. Flowers' most recent stop was with the Detroit Lions, where he played in two games, logging 12 defensive snaps without a stat line. He was waived by the Lions in December, adding to his journeyman status, having also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Steelers had their eyes on him during the draft, hosting a Pro Day dinner at Oklahoma State, where Flowers played safety. Despite selecting QB Mason Rudolph and WR James Washington, the Steelers are now reuniting with Flowers. This move is crucial for the Steelers, who have been light on cornerback depth. Jalen Ramsey's slide from safety to the slot due to Brandin Echols' groin injury and Echols' questionable status for Week 17, coupled with James Pierre's calf injury, means Flowers could step in and dress immediately, especially on special teams. With the Steelers' pursuit of the No. 4 seed, Flowers might even see some defensive action to close out the regular season.
