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The following is the seventh of seven Pittsburgh Steelers position analyses for the 2024 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday:
CORNERBACKS
Current roster: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cory Trice Jr., Luq Barcoo, Thomas Graham Jr., Kalon Barnes. Nickel backs-Darius Rush, Josiah Scott
Last five drafts: Porter Jr. (2023, second round) took over a starting job midway through last season and showed no signs of losing it. Trice Jr. (2023, seventh round) was emerging as an impact player in training camp before getting injured and missing the whole season. Tre Norwood (2021, seventh round) spent two years with the team, and Justin Layne (2019, third round) was a disappointment.
Top cornerbacks available: Terrion Arnold, Alabama; Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo; Cooper DeJean, Iowa; Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama; Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Penn State/Pitt players: Pitt's M.J. Devonshire and Penn State's Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy could all hear their names called on the third day of the draft (rounds 4-7). Pitt's A.J. Woods will most likely be a free agent signing, and Marquis Williams could end up in a team's training camp, too.
Possible Steelers picks: McKinstry; Wiggins; Kamari Lassiter, Georgia; Mike Sainristil, Michigan; Max Melton, Rutgers; Andru Phillips, Kentucky
Analysis: The Steelers need another young cornerback to pair with Porter. They got Jackson from the Panthers in the Diontae Johnson trade, and Trice will get another look, but you can never have enough good corners. They could use their second-round pick on one -- if players like McKinstry or Wiggins are still available -- but taking a corner with one of their two third-round selections might be more ideal with needs on the offensive line and receiver outweighing the defensive backfield.
SAFETIES
Current roster: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Trenton Thompson, Miles Killebrew, Jalen Elliott, Nathan Meadors
Last five drafts: Antoine Brooks Jr. (2020, sixth round) ended up in the CFL.
Top safeties available: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota; Calen Bullock, USC; Javon Bullard, Georgia; Kamren Kinchens, Miami; Jaden Hicks, Washington State
Penn State/Pitt players: None
Possible Steelers picks: Tykee Smith, Georgia; Sione Vaki, Utah
Analysis: Elliott was signed in the offseason to compete with Kazee for the starting safety spot opposite of Fitzpatrick. However, the Steelers might use one of their two sixth-round picks on a safety with good draft value if the situation presents itself.
Coming Thursday: Buck Frank commentary