Steelers: Don't be shocked if Pittsburgh takes a specific prospect at 32
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it clear what their intentions are when it comes to the 17th overall pick, evidnet by the recent news from over the weekend, and the pre-draft presser on Monday of draft week. But that doesn't mean corner has to go by the wayside, as they hold two more picks at […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it clear what their intentions are when it comes to the 17th overall pick, evidnet by the recent news from over the weekend, and the pre-draft presser on Monday of draft week.
But that doesn't mean corner has to go by the wayside, as they hold two more picks at 32 and 49 respectively, still within range of a functional starter at the defensive back position.
One of those players would provide a significant boost in the Steelers Turnover differential, boastng a potential increase to their tied for league high, 20 interceptions in 2022. Let's explore who that player is.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Here is my full report on Forbes:
One Liner:
A wispy corner who despite a concerning build, plays with an aggressive mentality, particularly when the ball is in the air.
Pros:
- Long limbs with lanky arms and useful height.
- Not afraid to throw his bag of bones in a pile and provide run support.
- Able to transition in zone coverage, breaking on the ball from opposite hip alignments.
- Can plaster bigger pass catchers and isn’t phased by their obvious size advantages.
- Recovery speed that makes you confident if he bites on double moves or misses his re-route.
- Capital E elite ball skills.
- Football instincts and intelligence lend him to constantly finding the football, with a scores mentality when he gets his hand on the ball.
Cons:
- Built like a stick figure with very little weight anywhere on his frame.
- Serious concerns when it comes to durability given his lower half.
- A little grabby at the top of the receiver's route.
- Hands will get him in trouble at the next level.
- Too many missed reroutes and often done way to far downfield.
- Misses his jam at times, leaving easy voids a quarterback to hit the honey hole in cover 2.
- Back to the sideline a lot, often with significant cushion despite his long speed, not a ton of man coverage in his resume.
- Can play to unbalanced, lending untimely hip flips.
Summary:
Forbes will have serious concerns at the next level but it has little to do with his on-field product. His ability to find the ball in the air literally rivals the best in the history of college football and he has the speed and length teams covet. His frame could be a serious liability, however, with significant question marks about his ability to play a full slate of games, year in and year out.
