Steelers schedule a top 30 visit with premier cornerback prospect
The Steelers may have invested at corner in the recent free agent period, signing veteran and future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson to a two-year deal. That should not, and likely will not, preclude them from drafting one as early as 17th overall come draft night on April 27th. Per Jordan Schultz of The Score, […]
The Steelers may have invested at corner in the recent free agent period, signing veteran and future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson to a two-year deal.
That should not, and likely will not, preclude them from drafting one as early as 17th overall come draft night on April 27th.
Per Jordan Schultz of The Score, Pittsburgh may be eyeing one promising prospect, a star corner that won back-to-back championships at the University of Georgia.
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Ringo is a specimen when it comes to cornerbacks. Rarely do you see players of his size prove to be as explosive as he is.
At the combine, Ringo measured in at over 6'2 and 205 pounds, making him the most physically imposing corner at the event.
But Ringo is not just a workout warrior, rather he has produced against the best wide receivers in the country and on the biggest of stages during his time at Georgia and in the SEC.
Now, while I love Ringo's physical profile and his ability to take over as an immediate CB #1 on defense, he is a tricky evaluation.
While his length, strength, and explosiveness are notable, he's one of the stiffer corners in the draft, often struggling to mirror and match receivers through their route stem and at the break point.
To be a truly dominant man-man corner, fluidity is one of the most important attributes a defensive back can have.
I would love to say that tight hips are something that can be fixed, but as a former defensive back who struggled with this issue myself in college, I can attest that stretching can only go so far.
That doesn't mean Ringo won't be a good corner or even a great corner.
What it does mean is that he has to fit a system, ideally a defense that runs heavy cover three or quarters defenses.
That way you can play to Ringo's strengths, allowing him to make plays on the ball while being a force in the run fit.
And that works for the Steelers, a team that runs more zone than man coverage, meaning Ringo could potentially be a plug-and-play starter.
The question is, where will Ringo go in the draft?
If he were to somehow fall out of the first round, then pick 32 becomes the easiest selection in Steelers history, with Pittsburgh sure to snatch him up.
Guess what? That very scenario isn't so far-fetched.
Currently sitting at 31 on the consensus board, Ringo may be there when the clock turns to day two of the draft.
If so, Ringo becomes a slam dunk selection.
