The Pittsburgh Steelers have many glaring needs that the organization needs to address through either free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft. Many believe the Steelers will use the 20th overall pick to bolster the offensive line at either center or tackle, but they also need to find another cornerback to pair with Joey Porter Jr., which is a strong position at the top of the draft. It's unclear what Omar Khan and the rest of the organization want to do in the first round, but Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports has them selecting one of the top corners in the draft.
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Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. getting the home crowd hype at Acrisure Stadium in Week 5 of 2023 against the Baltimore Ravens
Steelers Find Porter Jr's Running Mate In The First Round
Once Porter Jr. became a starter for the Steelers defense in 2023, he quickly turned into one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, as he was a finalist for Defensive Rookie Of The Year. He had his issues with penalties, but overall he was one of the best and most reliable players on the Pittsburgh defense. With Levi Wallace being a free agent and Patrick Peterson showing his age, it's important the Steelers find their second cornerback.
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Steelers mock draft favorite Kool-Aid Mckinstry
Fornelli has the Steelers selecting Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at 20th overall in his first mock draft for 2024, being the fourth corner taken off of the board. The three cornerbacks that Fornelli has going ahead of McKinstry are his college teammate Terrion Arnold, along with Cooper DeJean and Nate Wiggins. Other cornerbacks he has going in the first round after McKinstry are Quinyon Mitchell, Kamari Lassiter, TJ Tampa and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
McKinstry played in every game as a freshman at Alabama in 2021 and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, which was just the start of an impressive collegiate career. In 2022 and 2023, he was First-Team All-Sec, and in his final year at Alabama he was a First-Team All-American. He was a member of the Alabama teams that won the Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl.
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Steelers could select Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft
During his college career, he primarily played as an outside corner, occasionally playing slot corner or lining up in the box. He was targeted just 39 times in 2023, allowing only 19 completions. He allowed just one touchdown and gave up 205 yards on the year, which is extremely impressive considering he was playing in the SEC which is the toughest conference in college football. McKinstry also shines as a tackler, as he had just three missed tackles during the 2023 season.
The chances the Steelers are looking to find a cornerback at the top end of the 2024 NFL Draft are very high. They could bring Wallace back on a cheap deal, but he proved to be a liability on the field as he gave up six touchdowns and over 600 yards in 2023. When Porter Jr. was a rookie in 2023, it took a while for him to be inserted into the starting lineup which would likely be the same case for McKinstry. This means the Steelers could bring back Wallace, or start Peterson, with the intentions of McKinstry replacing them at some point during the season.
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Patrick Peterson (#20), Damontae Kazee (#23), and Levi Wallace (#29) get ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams
If the Steelers select McKinstry, and his game translates well to the NFL, they will be set at the cornerback position for the foreseeable future. They would have McKinstry on his rookie deal for four seasons plus his fifth-year option, and Porter Jr. is on his rookie deal through the 2026 season but the organization would likely extend him following the 2025 season when he becomes eligible. Selecting a top-tier cornerback in this year's draft is a good move for Pittsburgh, especially when they wouldn't have to pay either player for quite some time.
What do you think of the Steelers selecting McKinstry 20th overall? Let us know in the comments below!
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