3 college cornerbacks Steelers fans need to watch this season

The Steelers enter this season with their starters set at the corner positions of their defense, but next season could create change in that room.

Players are needed not only for competition but also for depth on this part of the field and youth should always be brought in for the continued growth of the team. The Pittsburgh Steelers enter this year with a very talented and well-rounded corner back group that can play all over the field. After this season players like Cam Sutton and Mike Hilton will require raises and this creates issues for the Steelers. Both have shown great ability to step in all over the field and play at high levels, so come free agency time they’ll command a decent market.

There is some luck for the Steelers as the 2021 draft class for this position can create for some nice replacements for the future on the cornerback position for the team. Justin Layne will be a huge factor as well as we will see what kind of jump he has going from year one to year two in his NFL career.

Shaun Wade, Ohio State

Here we go again with that Pittsburgh Steelers and Ohio State pipeline which seems to be very popular. The Steelers top brass always seems enamored by the players that come out of Columbus and this player should be of high interest as well. Wade has a big year for himself as he returns to the Buckeyes. He has been a dominant slot player for this team and he will move to the outside this season, so he will have a chance to skyrocket his draft stock going forward.

His numbers do not jump out at you when it comes to his stats with only four interceptions over two seasons during his collegiate career. He does have 15 passes defended on his stat sheet which is nice to see. Wade is a top prospect in this class for his position, but he still has to show a lot to scouts.

Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

It wouldn’t be another draft year without another very talented Alabama defensive back, would it? Surtain is on the top of many draft boards at his position, so it is a fight between him and Wade at the moment. Both of them have to prove themselves to be the top at this position for the draft class over the upcoming season.

When it comes to his stats, they are mostly similar to Wade’s because he totaled two-interception three forced fumbles, and eight passes defended this past season. He will have to continue to improve and show scouts that he is the top corner in this class.

Paulson Adebo, Stanford

This athlete is the perfect size for what scouts look for in NFL corners. He is a playmaker and a great corner that is sticky to his opponents. This guy shows up big on Saturdays for Stanford and has the stat sheet to prove it. Last season he totaled four interceptions, 10 passes defended (seven less than the amount the previous year), and 33 tackles. This prospect is one that has a real shot at moving up draft boards the closer we get to draft day come next Spring. He is a Senior so he is older than the other two prospects, but he seems more polished when you watch him run out and play on that field.

Those are some potential cornerback prospects to keep your eyes on this upcoming season because you never know they might be wearing Black and Yellow the following season.