Steelers Pre-Draft, Brown Shows, Backing into Corners

The 2015 NFL Draft is just a few days away and offseason workout programs are starting across the league. While the Steelers get ready to build their big board and head out on the practice fields we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, April 28^th.

Tomlin & Colbert on the mics

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin along with GM Kevin Colbert addressed the media on Monday afternoon in advance of the 2015 NFL Draft. They were naturally noncommittal on what position they’re looking to target in Thursday’s first-round but did have some highlights to share.

Colbert described the cornerback class in this year’s draft as “deep” but said the group of outside linebackers is the best he’s seen come along in 10-15 years. Tomlin added that there are more teams using outside linebackers in college now, rather than these guys being defensive ends that need to be converted.

Tomlin also added that the suspension of Le’Veon Bell won’t sway them in terms of the draft and the signing of DeAngelo Williams wouldn’t preclude them from taking a running back in the draft, should one become available for them to pick and is, in their eyes, the best player available.

You can listen to Tomlin and Colbert’s presser right here.

He’s back

As much as there was drama surrounding the Steelers’ offseason workouts last week on the possibility that WR Antonio Brown was intentionally absent to initiate a new contract (with 3 years remaining on his current deal) there was a collective sigh of relief on Monday morning when it was reported that Brown was present and accounted for.

As ESPN’s Scott Brown explains, Brown joined the group for the voluntary phase of the OTAs for the first time this week. Other veterans such as William Gay and Ben Roethlisberger have yet to show. I don’t think anyone thinks those guys are holding out either.

Not backing into a corner

It seems as though you can’t even think of the Steelers draft this year without immediately associating the need at the cornerback position with it. I remember the same kind of hype around the same position last year. Dejan Kovacevic of DK on Pittsburgh Sports articulates the sense of urgency he and most fans think the Steelers should have about selecting a corner early in the draft.

The Steelers ranked 27^th in the league against the pass last season. They could have moved up to 13^th if they had given up an average of 20 less yards in the air than they did. The difference is in giving up a big play. In addition to giving up big plays, the Steelers also let Brice McCain walk and signed zero free agent defensive backs.

DK says this spells the Steelers need to jump at a corner as soon as possible on Thursday, but no later than Friday night. Tomlin and Colbert both explained on Monday that they will not be going into the draft with any position or side of the ball in mind but only looking at the best players available. Meaning, they’re not trying to look for a corner, but if one falls to them they’ll take him.

Next: Steelers Brown Shows For Workouts

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