Countdown to Camp: Ross Cockrell

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on July 17, 2017

Countdown to Camp is a series aimed at preparing fans for the Pittsburgh Steelers upcoming training camp by focusing on players who were on the 2016 roster. Each profile will include basic statistics and a hand selected highlight from last year.

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Ross Cockrell	31
Position	Cornerback
Date of birth	August 6, 1991 (age 25)
Place of birth	Farmington Hills, Michigan
Height	6-0
Weight	190
High school	Charlotte (NC) Latin
College	Duke
NFL Draft	2014 / Round 4 / Pick 109
Career	Buffalo Bills (2014)
	Pittsburgh Steelers (2015−present)

In his two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, cornerback Ross Cockrell has proven to be something of a diamond in the rough. Once thought to be a player to add depth to the defensive backfield, Cockrell came on strong in both his 2015 and 2016 seasons. Cockrell wasn’t truly flawed, but the Steelers recognized raw talent and Cockrell delivered.

Draft scouts in 2014 were concerned that Cockrell had small hands, a thin frame, short arms, was too skinny and poor strength in press coverage and while taking on blocks. The Steelers saw a guy who they could match up with some of the best receivers in the league.

In 2016, Cockrell was key to shutting down A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals in week two and went on to record three more games – versus the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts – with at least two pass defenses. Cockrell recorded a total of 14 passes defensed on the season.

After finishing the 2016 season with a career-high 62 combined totals, Cockrell made eight solo tackles in his first career postseason game in a 30-12 AFC Wildcard game win over the Dolphins.

At training camp, Cockrell will be looking to make his mark while competing with veterans William Gay, Coty Sensabaugh and a range of ten cornerbacks currently on the roster. He can solidify his spot on the 53-man roster by building off of his 2015 and 2016 campaigns that saw him record 25 pass defenses, two interceptions and 106 combined tackles with improved tackling and mental toughness in the open field.