PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers made clear in player exit meetings that changes to the secondary are coming. That process began with the position coach, Carnell Lake, resigning so he can be part of his son's last year of high school football in California, setting the stage for new secondary coach Tom Bradley.

The Steelers can save nearly $13 million in cap space on various veteran defensive backs. How they choose to handle those contracts will provide a roadmap of sorts for free agency.

Joe Haden, who is due $9 million in salary along with a $1 million roster bonus on March 16, should be back as the Steelers' lead corner. Photo by Mark Alberti/ Icon Sportswire

Joe Haden expected back: The Steelers were happy enough with Joe Haden's play that his $11.6 million cap number isn't a major concern, I'm told. They could always approach him about reworking his deal but that's not the expectation right now. Haden is due $9 million in salary along with a $1 million roster bonus on March 16.

When the team signed Haden to three years at $27 million, the last two years were basically team options. That left the Steelers wiggle room to move on if he didn't perform. He did.

Haden turns 29 in April and battled injuries in Cleveland, but he saw immediate results from a reworked training/recovery regimen and can be the Steelers' lead corner for at least one more year.

The supporting cast at corner: Mike Hilton returns at a breezy $555,000, a bargain for a high-level blitzer who got four sacks from the corner spot. Another year should reveal whether Hilton will be a near-every-down answer in pass coverage, but his first year as a starter was considered a positive.

Artie Burns should have the inside track on the starting job despite an up-and-down second season. Burns has shown enough glimpses to get a third year, though Cam Sutton looks ready to push for a prominent role. Watch out for Brian Allen, who was a de facto redshirt last year but has major potential if his technique can catch up to his athleticism and size.

Tough corner calls: Veteran William Gay wants to return but there's no status update yet and the writing could be on the wall. The case for Gay is he's a trusted Steeler, good locker-room presence and can play both spots. That might not be enough. Releasing Gay and Coty Sensabaugh would save $3.1 million against the cap. Sensabaugh logged 241 defensive snaps and intercepted Marcus Mariota in Week 11, but Sutton unseated him by Week 15.

Safety shakeup: Sean Davis returning might be the only sure bet in this group. Safety Mike Mitchell ($5 million cap savings) and J.J. Wilcox ($3.125 million cap savings) are candidates to be released or restructured. Mitchell could be open to reworking his deal, and he did play hurt for much of 2017, but the Steelers need more playmaking from his spot.

The Steelers have considered bringing back Wilcox in some capacity. That's yet to be determined. Safety Robert Golden is likely safe as a core special-teamer.