The Pittsburgh Steelers defense wasn’t incredible, as it has been in recent years, last season. However, it wasn’t the worst either. If one word is picked to sum up the Steelers defense last year, more specifically the secondary, it would be inconsistent.
Antwon Blake, Brandon Boykin, William Gay, and Ross Cockrell were the main cornerbacks last season, especially when Cortez Allen wasn’t able to participate. However, Blake most of all, they were not consistent. The secondary would have incredible games where they would limit their opposing defense to no touchdowns and little yardage, but then would give up easy touchdowns and yards the next game.
The Steelers need some help in the secondary, no doubt. The team drafted Senquez Golson and Doran Grant in the NFL Draft last year. However Golson went down with injury and Grant barely saw any playing time. Now, the Steelers could be targeting two more cornerbacks in this year’s NFL Draft.
The team had meetings at the NFL Combine this past weekend with Clemson University alum Mackensie Alexander and Ohio State University alum Eli Apple.
Alexander did not participate in the workouts and drills of the NFL Combine, as he dealt with a hamstring issue according to NFL Network reporter Kimberly Jones. Alexander still has time to work on the hamstring issue before March 10, which is Clemson’s pro-day work out. Alexander, if he is able to participate, will be able to back up his claim that he made during the Combine that he is the best cornerback in the 2016 draft class.
“I’m 22, but I’m ready to compete with anybody. There’s nobody more dedicated than me, who’s put more time in or is more of a competitor than me. … I’m here prepared. I’m telling you I’m the best corner in this draft class,” the confident Alexander said during his interview.
In his 2014 season with the Clemson Tigers, Alexander started in all 13 games and had 22 tackles. In 2015, he appeared, and started, in the Tigers 15 games, where he made 23 tackles.
As for Apple, he did participate in the Combine events. He had the fifth-best 40-yard dash time of all defensive backs with his time being 4.40 seconds. Apple, in his two years at Ohio State, started 27 of 28 games for the Buckeyes. He had 86 tackles, with 56 of them being solo tackles and 30 being assisted, one forced fumble, and four interceptions.
At the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, in Glendale, Arizona, Apple was named the Defensive MVP. In his second year with the Buckeyes, he participated in the 2015 Sugar Bowl and the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Apple was confident that his performance at the NFL Combine would move him up to being an overall first round draft pick come April. “I definitely think I’m a first-round pick, for sure,” Apple said. “I feel I’ve done well in interviews with the coaches, keeping a confident demeanor and showing them my football knowledge. I’ve got all the intangibles to be a great NFL player, and I believe that wholeheartedly,” Apple said.
The Steelers conducted interviews with both players, but it seems the team might only be able to draft one, if they get the chance. The NFL Draft will be held from April 28-30. Look for Alexander and Apple, both young players, to go early in the draft.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
