Steelers using top 30 visit on an under-the-radar prospect
The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold three picks in the top 50 of the 2023 NFL Draft, including selection numbers 17, 32, and 49. With needs on the interior of the offensive line, Corner, and linebacker being most notable, it's feasible to imagine some combination of the three being taken within the top 50. And after […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold three picks in the top 50 of the 2023 NFL Draft, including selection numbers 17, 32, and 49.
With needs on the interior of the offensive line, Corner, and linebacker being most notable, it's feasible to imagine some combination of the three being taken within the top 50.
And after some news this afternoon, we may have gained insight into that exact scenario playing out.
Per Mike Cugno of CBS Miami, former Miami Hurricanes standout corner, Tyrique Stevenson has a top 30 visit scheduled with the Pittsburgh Steelers among other teams.
Stevenson started his collegiate career playing the vaunted "Star" position for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Popularized by Nick Saban, players in such role act as pseudo-nickel defenders, but play more man coverage with run responsibility.
Stevenson would then transfer to Miami where he played outside the rest of his career, proving to be a ball-hawking, Island corner.
After the Hurricanes failed to live up to pre-season expectations, Stevenson, like Miami, fell out of the spotlight, but with a strong pre-draft process, his name is quickly becoming a hot topic again.
Stevenson had a good week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, displaying the length and press coverage techniques that teams covet.
Stevenson would follow that up with a stellar NFL Combine performance, measuring in at 6'0 and nearly 200 pounds while running a 4.45 40-yard dash and jumping nearly 40 inches.
Most recently, Stevenson looked impressive at his Pro Day, answering any questions about his short area footwork.
Currently slated at 62nd on the consensus board, it would be presumptuous to think he will last that long given his meteoric rise in projection over the pre-draft process.
Teams will always be interested in long corners that can mirror and match receivers.
When you add on ball skills analogous to Stevenson's and a resume of playing at premier programs, you can see why his current projection is a facade for where he will actually end up being drafted.
If the Steelers go a different direction at 17, potentially suring up the offensive line, don't rule out Stevenson at 32.
If nothing else, it gives Pittsburgh a chance to right the wrong of the last Miami corner they selected in the top 32 picks of an NFL Draft.
