Rising CB Named Steelers Home Run Pick
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers could go in a number of different directions with the 20th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft but NFL Network draft insider Daniel Jeremiah has one player in mind that would make for a "home run" selection.
Jeremiah believes that, if the Steelers were able to land Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, that they would have one of the most exciting defenses in the NFL, particularly on the back end. Pairing 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. with Mitchell, while Minkah Fitzpatrick mans the back end could form one of the elite defensive secondaries in the NFL.
"To me, if you want to say 'What's a home run pick?' If you could write it in right now, turn it in and somehow guarantee that would happen, put Quinyon Mitchell from Toledo on the opposite side of who you took last year with Joey Porter Jr," Jeremiah said. "I think that would be one heck of a secondary with Minkah at the top of the Christmas tree there. That would be a fun defense to watch."
Jeremiah praised what the Steelers did in last year's draft, calling it a "perfect" year of adding size and physicality as the foundation of their present and future with tackle Broderick Jones, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and tight end Darnell Washington, among others. He thinks they could continue down that same path with Mitchell.
"They have a clear vision of what they want that team to look like and I thought the way they executed last year was perfect. They had a great draft," Jeremiah said. "You also had Washington, their huge tight end. They just got big. They are a big, big team. So I could see them going offensive line, whether it's a tackle for the other side of Broderick Jones, whether it's a guard or center type, that's very much in play. I would not rule that out. I also think adding another corner is something they need to look at and they need to get accomplish.
Mitchell, a three-year starter for the Rockets, has earned All-American consideration in consecutive seasons. He's totaled 44 pass breakups and six interceptions over the past two seasons. Over four seasons at Toledo, he's made 122 tackles, 6.5 for a loss and one sack.
At 6'0 and 195 pounds, Mitchell has the kind of frame that would fit in with the Steelers' recent trend of seeking out size and physicality. He's shot up draft boards after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl earlier this month, so it would take a premium pick - likely the No. 20 overall pick - for the Steelers to snag one of the top cornerbacks in this year's draft.
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