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4 Steelers players 49ers should worry about in Week 3

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Steven Nelson #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Heinz Field on September 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback Steven Nelson

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has tossed two bone-headed interceptions on the year, split between Weeks 1 and 2 and both to the left side of the formation — one short against the Buccaneers, and another deep down the field in Cincinnati.

Consequently, this is the side of the field where Pittsburgh’s best cornerback on the year so far, Steven Nelson, is playing.

Nelson has been a nice pickup for the Steelers after coming off a four-interception 2018 campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs. While he doesn’t have a pick yet this season — Pittsburgh has yet to record one — Nelson has already shown his value early in 2019, with opposing quarterbacks completing just 50 percent of passes thrown his way, according to Pro Football Focus, which currently ranks him No. 2 among 103 qualifying corners so far.

Garoppolo targeted the left side of the field a lot in Week 2, completing nine passes to this side of the field, with eight going to the right, per NextGen Stats:

But there’s going to be a wrinkle in this now, with Minkah Fitzpatrick coming aboard and occupying the Steelers’ free safety spot.

Fitzpatrick is likely to play Sunday. And while he still has to grasp coverages and develop chemistry with his new secondary partners, his already-established prowess should give Nelson some added assurance to make plays on this side of the field.

Simply put, Garoppolo will have to be careful.