Doran Grant to Steelers: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers showed a continued commitment to the defense with the selection of Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant. The defensive secondary entered the offseason with more questions than answers, but Pittsburgh recognizes that in order to be competitive in the AFC, the overall talent at cornerback desperately needs a boost.

Wait, the Steelers drafted a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes? That's so unusual. Only not at all. 

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Doran Grant makes it 5 of past 6 years Steelers have drafted an Ohio State player.

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) May 2, 2015 "

In the second round, the Steelers brought in ball-hawking cornerback Senquez Golson from Mississippi. Golson is a bit slight of build but shows excellent instincts and elite ball skills. How rare is this commitment to adding talent at cornerback? 

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First time in 28 years the Steelers picked 2 cornerbacks (Senquez Golson and Doran Grant) this high in draft -- 1987 Rod Woodson/Delton Hall

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) May 2, 2015"

As you can see below, the Steelers draft is really starting to shape up very nicely to have multiple impact players. 

So it is logical that with pick No. 122 the Steelers went back to cornerback but with a slightly different focus. Grant is a tough guy. If Steelers fans want a parallel, think about veteran cornerback William Gay. He is fearless attacking the line of scrimmage and will offer a great deal of run support.

Let’s take a look at Grant by the numbers:

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 200 pounds
• 40-Yard dash: 4.44 seconds
• Bench Press: 22 reps
• Career Tackles: 146
• Career Interceptions: 9

In coverage, the selection of Golson and Grant could mark a transition to even more zone and off-man concepts. Grant exhibits tremendous play recognition and does a solid job tracking the quarterback’s eyes and breaking on the football. He doesn’t have elite speed, but he gets up to speed quickly and has very little in terms of wasted steps with moving laterally or moving forward.

Where Grant’s game slips is working the boundary against larger wide receivers. The Buckeyes asked Grant to play press, often to his detriment. His hips aren’t smooth and he looses too much momentum coming out of his backpedal. His best bet is to utilize a play depth that keeps plays in front of him and allows him to be aggressive. This could mean a switch to free safety to be sure he is on the field in a position of strength.

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Asked Carnell Lake if Doran Grant could project at all at safety: "It's interesting you say that. I have that in my notes on him."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 2, 2015"

Worst-case scenario for Grant early is he is a star on special teams. His effort and physicality plays right into what the coverage teams want to do. He is a very good form tackler and isn’t afraid to rip at the football and try to create turnovers.

Ultimately, Grant and Golson could find themselves getting significant reps in the starting lineup. Pittsburgh utilizes a great deal of nickel defense and wants that third, and in some cases the fourth cornerback, to be active in coverage as well as a blitzer. Grant has the look of a slot corner that can come off the edge and hit the quarterback in those zone-blitz schemes that old-school fans remember and love.

Overall, the Steelers continue to make waves with getting players that probably should have already been drafted. Grant’s size is less of a concern because he’s a thick, powerful player. Don’t’ be shocked if he isn’t in the starting lineup before Golson and a better pro down the road.