The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2024 NFL Draft with several holes to fill, mostly on the offensive side of the ball. With their first pick, the 20th overall selection, they could choose to address offensive tackle, center, or wide receiver. On defense, their only pressing need is at cornerback. While the offense has been getting most of the attention (for good reason), the team could absolutely select a corner with pick 20. It is the second-most likely position the Steelers will draft in the first round behind tackle.
Looking at this class of cornerbacks, just like offensive tackle, it is loaded with talent. There will be plenty of very exciting prospects available for Pittsburgh when they make their selection. Below are some of the most likely cornerbacks the Steelers could draft with the 20th pick.
Steelers First Round Draft Targets: Cornerback
Nate Wiggins – Clemson
Nate Wiggins is a player the Steelers have shown interest in, and for good reason. For starters, Pittsburgh had a strong presence at Clemson’s pro day. General manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin, and both coordinators were in attendance. Further, Tomlin hosted a dinner for Wiggins and some of Clemson’s other top prospects prior to their pro day. There’s no lack of excitement among Pittsburgh’s top brass about Wiggins.
Nate Wiggins is a CB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.42 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 129 out of 2222 CB from 1987 to 2024.
Splits Projectedhttps://t.co/dOLHM8yLxI pic.twitter.com/4P8AIlYcTH
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2024
If the Steelers were to draft Wiggins, they’d be getting a strong cover cornerback who excels in both man and zone coverage. His elite top-end speed will allow him to run vertically with any receiver he is tasked with covering. He’s a smart player as well; his instincts in route recognition will prove beneficial as he adjusts to the level of physicality in the NFL. Wiggins is a very good athlete, but a little undersized. Luckily, his tall frame will support adding more size and strength, which he will need to do. Overall, there is a lot to like about Wiggins as a prospect.
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
On the topic of elite athleticism, there is no cornerback in this draft class with a higher athletic ceiling than Iowa’s Cooper DeJean. Unfortunately, due to a broken leg he suffered towards the end of last season, DeJean did not work out at the Combine or Iowa’s pro day. While official testing numbers aren’t available, it doesn’t take much film-watching for his athleticism to pop off the screen. He had a productive college career, including seven interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. DeJean was a productive punt returner, too, a role he can also take on in the NFL.
The Steelers didn’t have much of a presence at Iowa’s pro day. DeJean wasn’t working out, though, so that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. They had a formal meeting with DeJean at the Combine, so they are definitely familiar with him. If the Steelers draft DeJean, his versatility will be valuable in their defense. He can take some snaps at safety, he’s a legit cover corner, and he’s a sure tackler. DeJean has some growing to do in man coverage, but he is a very exciting prospect overall.
Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama
While his draft stock has fallen in recent months, Kool-Aid McKinstry is someone the Steelers have shown interest in. He didn’t workout at the Combine due to an injury, though he did work out at Alabama’s pro day, albeit not fully healthy. Even with a Jones fracture in his right foot, he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash. A strong athlete, McKinstry is at his best in man coverage. His physicality would fit perfectly alongside Joey Porter Jr. One major area of improvement for McKinstry is tackling.
Despite his injury, McKinstry could certainly be in play for the Steelers to draft. Khan and Tomlin both attended Alabama’s pro day and the team met formally with McKinstry at the combine. If there’s a run on cornerbacks prior to pick 20, the Steelers would likely draft an offensive tackle. But if they want a cornerback, and McKinstry is still available in that situation, Pittsburgh would be comfortable with making the selection.
Unlikely to be Available
There are two more cornerbacks who the Steelers would love to draft but are unlikely to fall out of the first 19 picks. Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and Terrion Arnold of Alabama would be home run picks at 20. While the Steelers didn’t meet with Mitchell, they had a presence at his pro day and Tomlin worked closely with him at the Senior Bowl. Pittsburgh did have a formal meeting with Arnold, along with having anyone of importance at his pro day. In a situation where quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive tackles all fly off the board, cornerbacks could drop. If either of these two makes it to 20, it’s a no-brainer for the Steelers.
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