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Steelers Urged to Pass on Alabama CB

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been advised to pass on this first-round cornerback.
Stephen Thompson|
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1)
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) | Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

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Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a wide range of options available to them when it becomes time to make the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but there is one player they should avoid, according to Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine.

Ballentine thinks Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is a good player and will be available for the Steelers to select at No. 20, but that they can't afford to miss out on adding to their offensive line at that slot.

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"The Pittsburgh Steelers may be tempted to pair the Alabama product with Joey Porter Jr. if he’s still on the board at No. 20," Ballentine said. "However, the Steelers were 10th in passer rating allowed last season with a combination of Porter, Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace manning the cornerback spots. Meanwhile, the offense was 28th in scoring and 23rd in EPA per play, in part because their offensive line wasn’t up to snuff.”

McKinstry totalled 93 total tackles, 5 for a loss, two interceptions and 23 passes defended in 42 games over three seasons with the Crimson Tide while also adding value as a punt returner at times. But the Steelers traded for former Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson this offseason and with Darius Rush and Cory Trice set to return for their second seasons in the NFL, it's possible the Steelers don't see corner as that pressing of a need compared to offensive tackle or center, where they are especially thin.

The Steelers have lots of needs to fill in with their first few picks in the NFL Draft but cornerback will have to wait while they fill out the offensive line.

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

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