Can Steelers CB Justin Layne make the necessary steps to contribute in 2020?

The top half of the Steelers 2019 draft class contributed in a variety of ways, but one name remains alone that could fill a needed void for the Pittsburgh defense in the near future.

After the fourth round, wish for the best. While the NFL draft may have its hidden, late-round gems, front offices reside primarily in hope & faith for breakout contributors at that point. The Steelers 2019 draft class is a great example, but have an anomaly that could be a late-riser for the group.

Amongst its 5 selections, no Steelers draft choice picked after round four played more than 75 snaps at their respective position (LB Ulysses Gilbert played 150 on ST). The latter however in LB Devin Bush, WR Diontae Johnson, & RB Benny Snell all became starters in separate moments. Leaving 3rd round pick CB Justin Layne unacknowledged, the Michigan State alum never logged a defensive snap in 2019, but could finally earn his time due to surrounding circumstances and possible improvement as a player.

Steelers CBs on Thin Ice

Metaphorically, no, and metaphorically, yes. The Steelers fielded a CB unit that became impressive over the course of the season. Joe Haden eventually earned his 3rd career selection to the Pro Bowl, Steven Nelson is an underrated talent that statistically performed similarly to the best, and Cameron Sutton solidified the dime role.

Problem is, these names including Layne are the only CBs on the roster that has an existing contract with the Steelers in 2020. A great three to build from, questions will be answered if Pittsburgh will match a team’s bid on Mike Hilton or the days of Artie Burns have officially passed us.

Likely, the Steelers retain one of the two for familiarity & cap situation they are in, but this leaves the door wide open for Layne. The aging on the offense & personnel issues could become a priority come draft time, and the typical four they carry on game days have to get replaced and/or up-to quota.

Sophomore Stunting?

Barely anything could be made or drew from Layne’s time as a rookie. As stated before, he didn’t log a single snap on defense in 2019. Appearing in only four of the first ten games, Layne was then activated for the final six in place of Burns but remained limited to special teams. Finishing his rookie campaign with only 3 total tackles, his sophomore year has very little chance to be even worse.

Standing at 6’2, the physicality & length of Layne always outed him as an intriguing prospect & possible PBU machine, but the lack of experience and technicality at the position worried some to how he would translate to the NFL. Though he was a 2 1/2 year starter at Michigan State, his background as a WR also made him a known raw prospect.

All things considered, this could have been the best thing for Layne. Essentially a red-shirt season, things weren’t looking too pretty for the former Spartan from the jump of the preseason, and head coach Mike Tomlin made sure he knew of it:

"“Coach (Mike Tomlin) told me before the game, he said, ‘Hey, you’re gonna learn today,” Layne, a cornerback from Michigan State, offered late Friday night following the Steelers’ 30-28 triumph. “After I messed up some plays, he said, ‘You’re gonna learn, it’s the time now.’ So why not?"

Now a year under his belt, the opportunity is here & will present itself to him. Mainly a voyeur to the game, the likes of Haden, Nelson, & Sutton are nice accomplices to the mentally improve upon, but everyone only cares for what occurs inside the sidelines. Song lyrics that represent the mindset, Layne is bringing awareness now: