NFL Draft 2011: Top 10 Cornerbacks the Pittsburgh Steelers Should Target
The news that the Pittsburgh Steelers need a new corner is as old as the Super Bowl. If nothing else, that game exposed the team's biggest deficiency, one that the team should be able to correct with a draft pick or two this April.
With CBA negotiations preventing players from testing free agency and teams from upgrading rosters, the draft is likely to be the first place teams can go to shop for new talent upgrades. The corner class is quite deep, so Pittsburgh figures to have several players to choose from.
Here's a look at 10 corners Pittsburgh should target and a draft scenario for each.
1. Aaron Williams, Texas
1 of 10
Why Him?
Williams is a risk-taking, playmaking corner. He's tough, smart and skilled. He's got the shutdown corner tag waiting for him if he can take his skills and translate them to NFL success.
What Williams does best is read plays and destroy them. He can pick off passes too, something Pittsburgh has lacked for a very long time. He should be a great pupil for former corner and current coordinator Dick LeBeau and new secondary coach Carnell Lake, a great, Williams-like corner in his playing days.
One more thing. Williams is an adept blitzer and could team with Troy Polamalu to make the defense even more unpredictable and deadly.
Path to the Steelers
First round, 31st overall. If he's there and they don't take him, it will be a major disappointment to a lot of people. If he's gone already, I wouldn't be terribly shocked, though.
2. Curtis Brown, Texas
2 of 10
Why Him?
Brown is the second Texas Longhorn on this list and the player I would target if Williams is gone. He's similar to Williams, although he needs a little more polish and is not as big of a playmaker (although he may be better once he's the go to guy for a defense).
What Brown brings to the table is solid coverage skills and an ability to play mistake free football. He's got okay hands and is still among the upper tier of available players. He's got a mid-round grade on him, but he could eventually develop into a solid starter and cover corner.
Path to the Steelers
He'd be a good pick in the second round if the team can't get Williams or if they go with an offensive lineman early. He may be gone by round three, but there's a chance he slips that far.
3. Brandon Harris, Miami
3 of 10
Why Him?
Harris was originally slotted for a late first round pick, but he's slipped a little in the lead-up to the draft. He's got decent skills, but he will have to spend longer learning this system since he's not exactly the best fit for Pittsburgh's scheme.
What Harris does bring is a good football instinct and decent coverage skills. He doesn't make a ton of mistakes and, while he's not the best hands player, can defend passes well and stay with shifty receivers.
Path to the Steelers
He'd be a good option in round two or round three (like Brown, he probably won't slip that far). He'll probably be a guy who'd sit and learn for awhile before stepping into the lineup regularly.
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4. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
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Why Him?
Dowling is a good player. He might even be better than his draft ranking (averages sixth place in various draft rankings) were it not for some injury issues. He's a good tackler and he's an above-average pass defender with decent hands.
A dimension he also brings is his ability to get to the quarterback on the blitz. Had he not missed most of his senior season, he'd be much higher on draft boards. The nagging knee injury may drop him a round or two.
Path to the Steelers
He'd be a second or third round pick and figures to be on the board in the late second round if not longer. The Steelers took a chance on Heath Miller when he entered the draft after injuring a knee. Miller also played for Virginia. Coincidence? Perhaps.
5. Brandon Burton, Utah
5 of 10
Why Him?
I worry because he doesn't have a ton of experience. That may not matter, but sometimes with a tough position like corner, it makes a huge difference.
That said, Burton has some good tools. He's flat out speedy. He can stay with anyone in the NFL, which will serve him well. He also is a good, sure tackler and pass defender. He hasn't put up huge turnover numbers and isn't used a ton in blitz packages, but his speed makes him a candidate to be good at both eventually.
He'd be a project, but he might be worth it.
Path to the Steelers
A good combine lifted him to a likely second round pick, meaning he's among a large group of players that the Steelers could target if they go with an offensive lineman early or miss out on Aaron Williams. He won't be around later, so the time to get him is with the 63rd pick.
6. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
6 of 10
Why Him?
Unlike Burton, Chekwa has three years of starting experience on a good, veteran Ohio State team. He's fast and has great instincts for reading quarterbacks and plays. He can blitz and isn't a liability on his half of the field.
He's going to struggle in the NFL with bigger receivers and with more physical offensive players. He lacks a ton of strength and his greatest asset is his speed. He may need to lose a little of it to bulk up or risk being out-maneuvered in the NFL.
Path to the Steelers
He could be either a backup plan or he could be a second draft pick for the position. Either way, he'll likely be around for the fourth or fifth round, so the team should look at him once they've addressed top targets and needs.
7. Chykie Brown, Texas
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Why Him?
He's the number three corner on Texas' team, but that doesn't mean he's without talent. He's another player who might shine in an expanded role. He's proven to be an adept pass defender and has some decent hands. He needs to work on that a little, along with his coverage skills.
He's another project corner, but he has some good speed that makes him an attractive option. He is flying under the radar right now, but he could develop into a good number three or number two corner in the NFL.
Path to the Steelers
He'll be around later, probably topping out as a fifth round selection. A late-season injury dropped him considerably, so if he's healthy again, he could be a steal.
8. Chris Rucker, Michigan State
8 of 10
Why Him?
He's got a ton of experience, starting at some point in all four years of his college career. He's got NFL size and speed, which should vault him up draft lists, but he's got some serious character issues that could prevent him from capitalizing on great talent.
Those issues aside, he also needs some serious coaching to be successful at the NFL level. He's good in coverage, but he is susceptible to double moves and quarterbacks who change their mind (he doesn't always pay attention to the passer when he's covering someone).
Path to the Steelers
His character issues probably keep him away, but he's got that size and speed they might love. He'll be around late, probably as late as round six.
9. Kevin Rutland, Missouri
9 of 10
Why Him?
He's versatile and could help the team by playing either corner or free safety depending on how he develops. He's another guy with a good combination of size and speed and he's not a liability in coverage.
He also is an exceptional blitzer, which is something Pittsburgh covets. If he develops well, he could team with Troy Polamalu to form a play-making duo that terrorizes quarterbacks.
He needs polish and coaching, but he'll be hard to pass on if he's around when the team picks in the middle rounds.
Path to the Steelers
He'll be around in the middle rounds. I think he'll be gone after the fourth, so the team might want to make a move somewhere between round three and then.
10. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
10 of 10
Why Him?
I saved Amukamara for last because the chances of Pittsburgh nabbing him are as remote as they come. That said, he'd be a great get for a team in need of a corner prospect.
Amukamara is the complete package. He picks off passes, breaks up others, can blitz the quarterback and basically disrupts opposing offenses. He's the Troy Polamalu of this draft and could end up being the same kind of NFL playmaker. He had teams game planning around him in the NCAA. Imagine if he takes that level of play to the NFL.
He's got few weaknesses, his speed being the only major question mark. He had a good combine and better Pro Day, so maybe those questions have been answered.
Path to the Steelers
They can either hope that 30 other teams are sleeping on draft day or they can trade up about halfway into the round, maybe even into the top 10, and get him. Neither of those scenarios is likely, so we'll just have to dream about having Polamalu and Amukamara on matching jerseys.
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