Dec 7, 2016 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – If you would have asked Ross Cockrell when his first start at New Era Field would come, he probably wouldn’t have thought it would be the 13th game of his third season.

He also wouldn’t have thought it would come in a uniform other than the Buffalo Bills.

A fourth-round draft pick of the Bills in 2014, Cockrell was released at the end of training camp in 2015. The Steelers quickly signed him to their 53-man roster and he’s become a mainstay in their defensive backfield.

On Sunday, Cockrell returns to Buffalo when the Steelers (7-5) take on the Bills (6-6).

Head coach Rex Ryan was in his first season with the Bills in 2015 after taking over for Doug Marrone, who had drafted Cockrell.

“We were all excited about him. I was excited about him but he got hurt,” said Ryan. “We had a scrimmage and he got hurt and really never had a lot of opportunities in the preseason games. I think he might have played in one preseason game. I get the brilliant idea of maybe we should stash him on the practice squad. As soon as we did that, guess what? I thought nobody had tape on him and all of that. Unfortunately for us, Pittsburgh picked him up.”

The Steelers hoped to get Cockrell in the 2014 draft but he was selected nine picks before they took receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth round.

But they kept rack of the 6-0, 191-pound cornerback and scooped him up when they got the opportunity.

“We really liked him in the draft. Liked his skill set. Liked his approach to play. Thought he had a very cerebral game, that’s proven to be true,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “One man’s misfortune, or one organization’s luxury, is another one’s opportunity. We were thankful he was available to us. He’s been a consistent performer for us.”

Cockrell quickly worked his way into the Steelers rotation at cornerback last season and this season has been a stalwart in their defensive backfield. He leads all Steelers defenders in snaps played this season with 767.

Though he has yet to record an interception this season, Cockrell has 44 tackles and leads the team with 11 pass defenses.

He also, at times, has lined up on the opposing team’s best receiver. He’s also been expected to be a steadying presence in a secondary that includes two rookie starters, corner Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis, despite the fact Cockrell is in just his third NFL season and second with the Steelers.

“Because of his partner being the young guy that he is in Artie Burns, we’ve challenged him in ways that maybe aren’t necessarily fair to him or a guy in his position,” said Tomlin. “Often times, we treat him as a much more seasoned player than he actually is in terms of the things we ask him to do, whether it’s matchup with the likes of A.J. (Green), Odell Beckham Jr. and others. He’s got a great attitude in terms of accepting those challenges. And equally as important, his play has been really solid.”

Ryan has noticed and isn’t afraid to take the blame for letting a quality cornerback go.

“He’s done a great job there and is playing really well for them,” Ryan said. “I’ll own up to it. We were excited about him and I figured, shoot, nobody’s seen him on tape and he’s coming off an injury. I just thought it made perfect sense that we could get him onto the practice squad. Well, that never happened.”

Cockrell is fine with it all now.

“Yeah, they said all of those things; they said they liked me and wanted me on the practice squad,” he said. “That’s exactly what they tried to do. Obviously, I ended up here. I’m excited to be here. Buffalo was a great experience for me. They gave me my opportunity to play in the NFL. I’m forever grateful for that. But I’m a member of the Steelers now.”

His first start at New Era Field might still have some special meaning, but it will just be another game.

“Personal vendettas don’t usually get you anywhere,” Cockrell said. “I’m just out there to play football. I play for the Pittsburgh Steelers now and we’re out there to win.”

Odds and end zones

Linebacker Arthur Moats was named the Steelers Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner for his charity work. As the Steelers’ winner, he is now nominated for the league’s winner of the award. … Placekicker Chris Boswell (abdomen), nose tackle Javon Hargrave (concussion), receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) and safety Shamarko Thomas (concussion) did not practice for the Steelers Wednesday. … Running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) was a partial practice participant. … The Steelers signed defensive back Brandon Dixon to their practice squad. Dixon played in 14 games for Tampa Bay in 2014, intercepting one pass.