It’s officially NFL draft week, and with the draft set to begin Thursday night, there’s been plenty of speculation on who the Pittsburgh Steelers will select when they are slotted to make the 25th selection of the first round.
Will they select a cornerback for the first time since the Steelers selected Chad Scott way back in 1997?
If you ask the majority of Steelers fans, a cornerback would be the best choice and based on what many of the latest mock drafts are predicting, they might just get their wish.
Let’s look at three different predictions on which cornerback the Steelers might select in the first round and give the skinny on each mock pick.
Charley Casserly (NFL.com) Artie Burns-CB, Miami
Former Redskins and Texans GM Charley Casserly is one of many draft experts who have the Steelers picking a corner in the first round. University of Miami corner Artie Burns is Casserly’s choice and might be considered a bit of a reach in the first round.
Why I like the pick: Burns is a dynamic athlete who dazzled at the combine and in individual workouts. Not only did Burns excel in football, he was an exceptional track athlete who starred in the hurdles for the Hurricanes. When was the last time the Steelers picked a world-class hurdler in the first round? That would be Purdue’s Rod Woodson in 1987, which worked out OK.
Why I don’t: Picking Burns at this point in the draft would be a reach. Burns is simply not ready to step in as a rookie and make serious contributions to the team, as he’s a project that will need time to develop. Furthermore, the Steelers have a poor track record of developing “project” DB’s in general making the pick even more risky.
Will Brinson (CBSsports.com) Eli Apple-CB, Ohio State
Brinson is a favorite of mine, and like Casserly, he has the Steelers going corner in the first, but instead picking Ohio State standout Eli Apple. Not a big surprise considering the Steelers seem to love the Buckeyes when it comes building their roster through the draft.
Why I like the pick: Apple is rangy and fast, while proving to be one of the best cornerbacks in college football the past two seasons. It’s hard not to like the way Apple plays; he’s aggressive and competes like crazy on the field. Apple plays with a slow heartbeat, and the stage doesn’t ever seem to get too big for him. There are a lot of reasons to think Apple could be a quality high-end starter as a professional.
Why I don’t: Although Apple looks more developed compared to Burns, is he ready to contribute as a rookie? The defense needs immediate help and the Steelers need to pick a player who can fit the bill. Maybe that player is Apple, but he’s far from a sure thing.
Charles Davis (NFL.com) Mackenzie Alexander-CB, Clemson
Another draft expert I respect a great deal is NFL.com’s Charles Davis, and he has the Steelers selecting Clemson University standout cornerback Mackenzie Alexander with their first-round pick.
Why I like the pick: If you like a corner with swagger, this is your guy. Alexander plays with a ton of confidence, and he might be the cornerback on the board with the most upside of any available to the Steelers. Alexander is a touch under six feet tall, which might be an issue covering bigger receivers, but his coverage skills are elite. It’s been since Ike Taylor’s peak years that the Steelers have had a true lockdown corner making Alexander a very tempting option.
Why I don’t: Does Alexander fit the Steelers scheme, and what about his ball skills? In two full seasons, Alexander had no interceptions; that’s a concern. Granted, opponents avoided Alexander for the most part, but it’s still worth noting when you are spending a first-round pick on a player. Alexander is a bit of a trash talker. Will that mesh with the Steelers?
