3 NFL Draft prospects who could force Steelers to ignore QB
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers would consider CB Derek Stingley Jr.
The Steelers are hardly ever in a position to get an elite cornerback in the NFL Draft. These guys are typically lock-top-10 picks, and with Pittsburgh picking later in most years, it’s part of the reason why they haven’t found an elite cornerback in decades. That could change if Derek Stingley Jr. happens to be on the board at pick 20.
While I wouldn’t plan on Stingley falling this far, the talented cornerback played very sparingly for LSU over the past two seasons, and injuries have been a concern. Assuming he was healthy, there’s not a chance he makes it out of the top 10 picks; however, his injury misfortune could be Pittsburgh’s gain.
Stingley had some up and down film over the past two seasons because of nagging injuries. However, he was one of the best cornerback prospects during his freshman season that we have ever seen, and we would have to assume the 20-year-old CB is going to return to full strength.
When he does, look out! The former five-star recruit has Pro Bowler written all over him. The Steelers are notoriously awful at drafting cornerbacks, but Stingley would change that narrative. Tomlin and Colbert were at his Pro Day, and they have been doing their homework in case he falls.