ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has a new one-round mock draft out and we want to know what you all think of the pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kiper opted to give the Steelers former Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks in the first round. Here’s what Kiper had to say about the pick:
Cameron Sutton is out, veteran Patrick Peterson is in, but Pittsburgh’s biggest need hasn’t changed. It has to get younger — and faster — at cornerback. Banks matched Forbes’ 40-yard dash time (4.35) at the combine, and he did it 31 pounds heavier (though he measured 6-foot, two inches shorter than he was listed in college). His 2022 tape is one of the best I’ve seen in this class in terms of man coverage. He can shut down an entire side of the field. He’s a fit for Mike Tomlin’s defense.
I have made it pretty clear I am not in favor of the Steelers drafting the fifth cornerback with the No. 17 overall pick. Even though I prefer Banks over Emmanuel Forbes and Joey Porter Jr. who were taken ahead of him, this is still a tough pick to be ok with. Cornerback is definitely not the team’s primary need at this point.
The Steelers have dedicated far more resources to the offensive and defensive lines with almost none committed to the top cornerbacks. In terms of a prediction, I would suspect the Steelers to target a player at one of those need positions instead.
