Steelers mock draft round 3: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Pittsburgh already addressed their outside cornerback problem in free agency. They signed Jackson to start opposite of Porter. The issue at slot cornerback remains coming into the draft. The extra pick that the Johnson trade provided, now allows the Steelers to focus on different needs. Sullivan is back as a depth piece and starting competition, but he cannot be your guy.
He is an experienced veteran, but Sullivan played poorly for the most part last season. He was brought back as a depth piece, and that opens the door for a corner being selected. The Steelers take Mike Sainristil with their second third-round pick in this mock draft. The black-and-gold decision-makers are going to love the style of play that he would bring to their defense.
He is similar to Mike Hilton in different areas. Filling out the slot corner role has been a struggle for the Steelers over the years. They find an option here that lines up perfectly with what they demand from the position. Sainristil can do it all in his position, and that showed during his time at Michigan. One should expect the Steelers to be at their Pro Day this year.
There are plenty of quality prospects coming out of Michigan in this draft so covering that Pro Day might be best for Tomlin and Khan. This corner has been able to cover well, blitz the passer, and get his face dirty in run support. Sainristil is not afraid of anything, even though he is on the smaller side. Slot corner gets their day-one starter on defense.