Do the Pittsburgh Steelers need to add to their defensive backfield? Yes. Are the Steelers doing their due diligence in evaluating defensive backs at the Combine? Another yes. Will the Steelers be drafting a cornerback in April? 100% yes.
I don’t exactly know this for certain but I’m willing to put my sterling reputation up as collateral. There is no shortage of defensive backs in this Draft and especially at the cornerback position. Many of them were on display yesterday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Guys the Steelers Would Be Interested In
These are the guys who the Steelers have met with (as of Saturday morning) in terms of cornerbacks.
Will Johnson, Michigan
Ben Morrison, Notre Dame
Zy Alexander, LSU
Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
Jahdae Barron, Texas
Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
Johnson falling to the Steelers at 21 would be stunning. Despite an injury-plagued season in Ann Arbor, he’s still one of the top corners and can play in any system on the boundary.
Morrison has a lot of attributes the Steelers like but he seems more of a zone fit than press man. He can play press, but there are some issues there that need to be cleaned up especially in regards to footwork.
Barron is a high-I.Q. football player who can thrive in a number of ways. I view him as a slot corner due to his size and the fact that he supports the tackle so well.
Alexander ran a 4.56 yesterday which isn’t great but he still manages to be an excellent boundary CB. He did suffer an ACL tear in 2023 but seems to have fully recovered. He high-points the ball every time which I love.
Parrish ripped off a forty time of 4.35 Friday which had coaches and scouts sitting up. He’s 5’10” but has the ability to play on the boundary or the slot. His run support needs improvement.
Stout will be a mid to later round guy due to his small size (5’8” 180lbs). He has experience playing outside but I have to believe he plays inside in the NFL. He’s very athletic which will garner attention by teams like the Steelers.
Other Guys I’m Watching
Keep in mind this process is long and if some CBs aren’t meeting with the Steelers here it doesn’t mean they won’t at Pro Days, personal visits, etc.
Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
He has really good length and strength and can frustrate receivers. He will need time to grow a bit though and needs to be understood going in.
Darien Porter, Iowa State
This guy is 6’3” and he’s athletic as Hell. He ran a 4.3 Friday and excelled in field drills as well. The knock on him is age as he’s a sixth year senior.
Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
There’s no way I couldn’t mention this guy. He ripped off a 4.28 and had a terrific day on the field. He missed several games due to injury last season but has big-play ability when he gets the ball. His lack of run support willingness is a question mark.
There’s no doubt there are many other corners the Steelers will look at but I’m certain one of these guys will be heading to Pittsburgh in late April.
