The 25 most likely Steelers defensive targets in 2022 draft

Steelers defensive prospect #11

A name the Steelers likely wouldn’t get the most out of if they drafted him, Marcus Jones is an undersized slot cornerback with great speed and the ability to return kicks and punts. While his defensive talent is appealing, his return talent is just as intriguing. He was electric in that regard, and many teams will value him purely as a return man.

The Steelers have a long history of not using defenders to return kicks though, which actually limits a huge area that Jones excels at. Looking beyond his return ability, Jones actually plays pretty well in the slot. His lack of size is apparent against bigger targets, but he is scrappy when fighting for the ball. He never makes it easy on a receiver.

While the team may be intent on using Cameron Sutton and Tre Norwood in the slot, Jones could be a more traditional fit there. His style of play is reminiscent of Mike Hilton, as he plays far more aggressively and bigger than his size would make him appear. He has the traits you want in a slot cornerback, and the interest in him, including a pre-draft visit, could make him an option in the third round.