Why looking for red flags will help Steelers avoid mistakes of the past

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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 09: Cornerback Artie Burns #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline during a game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on October 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets 31-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

CB Artie Burns

1st round, 2016

Red flags:

One-year wonder in college
Well below average athlete
Flashed on tape, but no consistency

There was a lot to like about Artie Burns coming out of Miami in 2016. He was a long, outside cornerback with good speed (4.46) and a productive junior season (6 interceptions). While he never really missed time with injuries and he didn’t have off-the-field concerns, Burns was worrisome for other reasons.

For starters, he had just one year of notable production in college. But what’s more important than this is his inconsistencies on tape. Burns was a grabby corner who got out of position far too often to the point where most draft experts had a 2nd or 3rd round grade on him. In addition, Burns was a relatively poor athlete coming out. Thanks to a 31 1/2” vertical (6th percentile) and a 4.33 20-yard shuttle (11th percentile), he tested as just a 28th percentile athlete at the position, according to 3 Sigma Athlete.

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There is no perfect science behind evaluating NFL talent. Some players with no red flags will bust, while others with a list of them will fall through the cracks and prove to be valuable assets at the next level. Still, there is enough evidence in historical trends to show us which player to steer clear of (or at least move down the board) on draft day. Let’s hope the Steelers learn from the mistakes of the past and weigh the risk of these red flags in the future.

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