Top cornerback targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft
With the 2023 NFL Draft right around the corner – pun intended – it’s time to take a look at an area the Pittsburgh Steelers typically do not address early with their draft plans: the cornerback position.
In the history of the franchise, the Steelers have only taken a cornerback with their first round selection twice since 1997. Those picks came in 2016 (Artie Burns) and 1997 (Chad Scott) as the team opted for middle round picks or free agents to man the secondary.
With a new general manager, Omar Khan, and his new-to-the-team assistant GM Andy Weidl heading up their first draft together, those plans could change. With the Steelers on the clock with the 17th pick overall, the following players have high NFL draft odds of going in the first round or even the top 50 picks: of which Pittsburgh has three total.
Just like in gambling, the Steelers are placing their bets on which player will offer the best long-term return. Fans and bettors alike are already weighing the odds on which cornerback Pittsburgh might select, with some even turning to sportsbooks to place their own wagers on draft outcomes. In the same way, exploring online casino seiten allows gamblers to assess their odds and strategies, making calculated decisions in the hopes of securing a winning hand.
With the Steelers on the clock with the 17th pick overall, the following players have high NFL draft odds of going in the first round or even the top 50 picks, of which Pittsburgh has three total.
Much like a gambler weighing the odds before placing a bet, the Steelers are evaluating the risk and reward of each cornerback prospect. Fans, too, can feel the excitement of this high-stakes decision, with many turning to sports betting platforms to wager on the outcome of the draft, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the event. Similarly, just as some bettors seek out an online casino no deposit bonus to maximize their chances without upfront risk, draft enthusiasts are analyzing each pick to see which gamble might yield the best reward for their team.
These are the names you should keep an eye on as the top cornerbacks in this year’s NFL Draft.
Devon Witherspoon
Regarded by many as the top name in this year’s cornerback draft class, I won’t mention much about Witherspoon other than he shouldn’t be available anywhere near outside the top ten picks.
The Illinois product cedes some height and weight to the others named below, so I won’t rule out the possibility that his stellar 2022 college season doesn’t overshadow the physical presence his colleagues provide – which may see him slip a few spots down the boards. (Though I still struggle to see that happening!)
Christian Gonzalez
Christian Gonzalez is a cornerback prospect with outstanding potential. He has an unequaled mix of both mental and physical resources, plus is a complete package at 6’2″ and 200 lbs.
With incredible fluidity and agility at close ranges, he poses an outstanding size-speed danger. He always finds himself in a position to make the play because of his eyes and rapid reaction time. He can also twist at a moment’s notice to pick off passes.
If Gonzalez is available, the Steelers could be running to the podium.
Joey Porter Jr.
Any early pre-draft favorite to land in Pittsburgh, due to his father’s playing (and coaching) time in the Steel City, Porter’s name has been somewhat forgotten in recent draft talk but should still be mentioned as a top target who could be picked by someone in the first round.
Porter only managed five additional deflections for the remainder of the season after his impressive six-deflection performance against Purdue. On the surface, his productivity decline raises some concerns, but on occasion, he simply discouraged teams from even attempting to cover him.
Porter lacks the raw explosiveness and pace that some of the other prospects on this list have. Yet, he can shut down receivers early in reps with his aggressive athleticism, reach, mobility, technique, and ball skills. He’ll be more of a man-to-man versus cover corner, which is something the Steelers have recently coveted.
Will he be the guy at 17? That’s to be seen, but if for some reason he’s still lurking at the top of the second round – and the Steelers haven’t already addressed cornerback – Porter’s name should be a lock.
Deonte Banks
Mike Tomlin has a recent love for Maryland players as well, which Banks fits the mold of. This Terrapin effectively burst onto the scene opposite Jakorian Bennett and has developed into a possible early talent, thus, making him one of the hottest NFL draft picks for the upcoming season.
With an interception and 8 pass breakups in 2022, Banks – who stands 6’2″ and weighs 205 lbs. – has demonstrated his ability at the catch point. Able to compete with anyone, he put up some impressive reps versus potentially the best wide receiver in next year’s draft, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
In some circles Banks is ranked higher than Porter, which should give you an indication of his potential to land somewhere on day one, including Pittsburgh.
Emmanuel Forbes
The fact that Emmanuel Forbes ended his career as the college football’s all-time leader in pick-sixes is a fitting testament to his innate talent to create plays. That kind of momentum-altering impact on the boundary is what he can offer in the NFL.
Forbes’ underweight physique could make his projection a little more difficult. He’s currently a lanky, 6’1″ tall and 166 lbs. However, he flies with a 4.35 40-yard-dash time.
Forbes, however, has a great balance of speed, length, and explosiveness. Thus, while he may be small, these other qualities help boost his prospective chances.
Cam Smith
Smith will draw some comparisons with Jaycee Horn, the former first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, who attended the same school. That may be an unfair comp, as Smith is not close to the prospect Horn was, but he has a chance to develop into a respectable professional in his own right.
At 6’1″ and 180 lbs, Smith compares favorable with the size and speed of others noted here. He is strong on all fronts and possesses the necessary abilities to be a reliable cornerback.
This includes explosiveness, agility, precise execution, physicality, and ball skills. He can play the boundary or the slot and is a fierce contender in run support as well.
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Mike Tomlin prefer versatility. After losing one “Swiss Army Knife” in the secondary with Cam Sutton, the Steelers could replace him with Cam Smith and not skip a beat – and perhaps upgrade what Sutton brought to the table.
Smith is an under-the-radar prospect who shouldn’t be in the top 20 selections, but should easily be gone in the top 50.
