The Pittsburgh Steelers will have multiple positions to address in the coming months. Between free agency and the draft, Omar Khan and company will look to bring in more playmakers around the field. One position at the top of the list is cornerback. The Steelers’ cornerback room consists of Levi Wallace, Ahekllo Witherspoon, Arthur Maulet and current free agent Cam Sutton.
Photo Credit: Abigail/Pittsburgh Steelers
Sutton has been great over the years for Pittsburgh and would be a welcomed re-sign from both parties. The versatile cornerback would be nice to have back on another contract going into 2023. Sutton has expressed his love for the Steelers and how he wants to be back with the "Brotherhood."
The Steelers Should Bring In More Cornerback Talent
Pittsburgh will look to add to the cornerback room, even if Cam Sutton comes back. Adding another playmaker at CB could give the Steelers a pretty good duo. There are a few routes that Pittsburgh could go to improve the position though. They could use pick #17 on a top-tier CB in the draft or maybe they could sign an extra free agent alongside Sutton.
What if Pittsburgh doesn’t do either and lands a stud cornerback a little later in the draft? Here are two options to look out for in the second round.
Julius Brents From Kansas State
Photo Credit: kstatesports.com
Brents is an explosive athlete that comes in at 6’4” and 202lb. The Senior Bowl did official measurements on Tuesday and Brents has some interesting numbers. His 6’10" wingspan and 40-inch vertical are crazy attributes for a cornerback. He might not have the insane speed or agility as some of the top CBs in the NFL, but he shows reps where he shuts down receivers. Brents could add some much-needed height at CB for Pittsburgh and be a nice compliment to Sutton.
He’s currently being looked at in the second to third round but that could change quickly. Brents had all eyes on him on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl practice. He might've had the best reps from any cornerback there, easily shutting down some of the top wide receivers that showed up. His length alone makes him hard to separate from, add that to his twitchiness and make-up speed and he could be a real threat in the NFL.
Jets star CB DJ Reed even liked what he saw from Brents at the practice, saying, "That is straps" in reference to this one-on-one exchange between the Kansas State corner and Jalen Wayne from South Alabama:
🔥 @KStateFB CB Julius Brents was easily the most impressive cornerback in one-on-ones during the second practice today at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/n9lFuU9tdm
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 31, 2023
Deonte Banks From Maryland
Photo Credit: terrapintimes.com
Banks is a 6’2” 205lb, physical cornerback. He’s good in both zone and man with great downhill closing speed. Banks is a great tackler and good against the run. He really excels in press coverage, sticking with receivers through their whole route. Banks put up 8 passes defended last year for Maryland locking down his half of the field almost every play. He could pair nicely opposite Sutton. He looks to be going in the second round but could maybe sneak into the first. Banks will put all of his features on display at the NFL Scouting Combine the first week of March.
There are a lot of good cornerback prospects in this year’s draft. Pittsburgh could certainly go after one early at pick #17 but waiting to get one at picks #32 or #49 could be a good option.
Who do you want to see the Steelers draft for the season ahead? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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