Steelers mock draft: Trade-back allows all needs to be met

Third Round

While I would prefer the Steelers to address defense before this, offense takes the focus early on in this mock draft. That said, the team has a huge hole at cornerback now that Steven Nelson has left the team. While the team could target an outside option early on to replace him, if they wait until later in the draft, adding a slot option makes just as much sense.

Aaron Robinson had a productive career while at Central Florida, but he has quite a few concerns as a cornerback, that being his overall coverage skills. While he was proficient in both man and zone coverage, his skills in the secondary are below average overall. He plays with a physical edge though, and some of his tendencies are reminiscent of former Steeler’s slot option Mike Hilton.

He could get sprinkled in during his rookie year as a slot cornerback with his focus being on stopping the run. With Cameron Sutton being the savvier coverage player, Robinson wouldn’t have to instantly be the man in the slot. He will need to improve his overall coverage before taking that role on permanently. He would be a rotational slot option early and if he can make some strides in coverage, he could become an adequate replacement for what Hilton brought to this team.