This is the ninth in a series on the upcoming NFL Draft, which will take place April 28 through 30. Today: Cornerback
If there is a more difficult position to play in the NFL than cornerback, it would only be quarterback because of the amount of pressure placed on a player who has the football in his hands every offensive snap.
But the rules to the game are set up to protect quarterbacks and make it easier to perform.
Cornerback? It seems that every time the league passes a new rule regarding play, it somehow makes it even more difficult on the cornerbacks.
The NFL wants points put on the board. And the easiest way to do that is to make it more difficult on the defense – and cornerbacks in particular – to do their job.
But the Steelers have found some ways around that. They have led the NFL in sacks a record five consecutive seasons, which, at least until last season, had led to more turnovers and interceptions.
The Steelers have shown no issue with turning over their cornerback position, though.
Last year, the team released starting cornerback Steven Nelson to get under the salary cap. This year, longtime starter Joe Haden hit free agency and it doesn’t seem the team is interested in bringing the 33-year-old back after re-signing Ahkello Witherspoon in free agency and then adding former Bills starter Levi Wallace.
Those two will team with Cameron Sutton atop the Steelers’ depth chart.
But both Witherspoon and Wallace were signed to two-year deals, while Sutton’s contract, signed last year, is up at the end of this season.
Needless to say, the Steelers could always use help at cornerback.
Backup Justin Layne, a former third-round pick, is in the final year of his contract, while Arthur Maulet and James Pierre also are on short-term deals.
This year’s draft is loaded with talented options throughout.
Sitting atop the board are Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and LSU’s Derek Stingley. It’s highly unlikely either makes it to the Steelers’ top pick at 20. Gardner did not allow a touchdown in his coverage during his college career, while Stingley was the star defensive player in LSU's National Championship run in 2019 as a true freshman.
Washington’s Trent McDuffie also figures to be gone by the 20th pick, as well, though if he doesn’t, his skillset of being able to play inside or outside could be awfully appealing to the Steelers.
Andrew Booth of Clemson is another highly-rated cornerback expected to be a first-round pick. Booth was unable to work out during the draft process because of a quad strain that eventually required core muscle surgery, but his tape is good and he had excellent production for the Tigers, as well.
That group is almost certain to go in the first round, while Florida’s Kaiir Elam and Washington’s Kyler Gordon also sneak into the top 32 picks.
“I think it's a solid group of corners,” said NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “Where does Kaiir Elam end up going from Florida, who's really, really tall. He's a press corner. He's got big-time makeup speed. There's some stuff in the transition that he struggled with a little bit, gave up a little bit of separation, but I think there's a lot to like about him.”
Auburn’s Roger McCreary also should go early by Day 2, though he doesn’t necessarily have the testing traits as some of the others. That’s not the case for Nebraska’s Cameron Taylor-Britt, UTSA’s Tariq Woolen or Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant, the Thorpe Award winner as college football's top cornerback last season.
All three can run and have above-average size for the position. In fact, Woolen is 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash while also posting a 42-inch vertical jump.
“I feel like I fit in both (zone or man), I’m a big press man corner, but when it comes to zone, I can play with my eyes on the ball, I want to be a versatile player,” said Woolen, who originally went to UTSA as a wide receiver.
At the other end of the spectrum is Houston’s Marcus Jones. At 5-foot-8, 174 pounds, Jones will strictly be a slot corner in the NFL. But he’s an outstanding return man, having taken nine kicks back for touchdowns in his career as well as picking off 10 career passes.
In the middle rounds, Penn State’s Tariq Castro-Fields, Pitt’s Damarri Mathis, Zyon McCollum of Sam Houston State or Alabama’s Jalyn Armour-Davis could interest the Steelers as developmental players. In later rounds, LSU’s Cordalle Flott, Chase Lucas of Arizona State, Michigan’s Vincent Gray or Mario Goodrich of Clemson could be of interest.
Lolley’s Top 10 Cornerbacks
1. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati (6-3, 190)
2. Derek Stingley, LSU (6-0, 190)
3. Trent McDuffie, Washington (5-11, 193)
4. Andrew Booth, Clemson (6-0, 194)
5. Kaiir Elam, Florida (6-1, 191)
6. Kyler Gordon, Washington (5-11, 194)
7. Roger McCreary, Auburn (5-11, 190)
8. Marcus Jones, Houston (5-8, 174)
9. Tariq Woolen, UTSA (6-4, 205)
10. Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska (5-10, 196)
Also See
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Safety
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Wide Receiver
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Line
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Tight Ends
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Running Backs
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Edge Rushers
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Interior Offensive Line
Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Inside Linebackers
