Steelers: How Pittsburgh stole the draft on Saturday
The Pittsburgh Steelers have promising returns on nearly every pick in their 2023 draft class early on, but there's one pick that stands above the rest in terms of value, and it didn't happen until late on Saturday afternoon. With the 241st pick in the draft, the Steelers selected Purdue cornerback Cory Trice Jr. Now […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have promising returns on nearly every pick in their 2023 draft class early on, but there's one pick that stands above the rest in terms of value, and it didn't happen until late on Saturday afternoon.
With the 241st pick in the draft, the Steelers selected Purdue cornerback Cory Trice Jr. Now the reason for his fall was warranted given a medical red flag dating back to a history of ankle and knee injuries.
But Trice is healthy by all accounts and will be ready to go as early as rookie minicamp. Pairing that with an impressive skillset and lengthy frame, and I'll explain while he has the potential to be the steal of the draft.
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had to say about Trice:
A four-year starter at Purdue, Trice was an outside cornerback in former co-defensive coordinator Ron English’s scheme. After a long road back from his 2021 knee injury, he showed noticeable rust on his 2022 tape but still graded well and posted a team-best 12 passes defended (with only one pass interference flag). An impressive height/weight/speed athlete, Trice passes the eye test with flying colors, and his testing numbers reflect his above-average athletic traits. He is a little bit of a cornerback-safety tweener and needs to play with better pad level for quicker recoveries, but he displays a great feel for reading breaks and flashes GGI (goand-get-it) skills. Overall, Trice might never be a high-level technician, but he has exceptional size, speed and change-of-direction skills to be a disruptive cover man both early and late in the rep. He offers position versatility with starting potential in press-man or Cover 3 schemes.
Trice Jr. is no seventh-round pick when analyzing his tape, and certainly not when you break down his testing numbers and measurements. Proving to be healthy for the first time in a while at the NFL Combine, Trice Jr. recorded the following:
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 206 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds
- Vertical: 35.5"
- Broad: 11'0"
Those are elite no matter which way you slice it. Trice Jr actually comps similarly to another BIG-10 corner… Joey Porter Jr. The hope is that Trice has overcome his lower body issues, and will have a fruitful NFL career.
Even if he doesn't, this pick is more than just a day three dart throw. Trice has real upside and the capability to become an NFL-caliber starting corner. If he can remain healthy, don't be shocked if there's a pair of rangy Jr.'s holding down the cornerback spots for years to come.
