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2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: 3 QBs go in the top 10, Redskins land defensive stud

By Jacob Camenker

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – OCTOBER 13: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs breaks up a pass intended for Stephen Sullivan #10 of the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – OCTOBER 13: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs breaks up a pass intended for Stephen Sullivan #10 of the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Georgia. DeAndre Baker. 20. player. 55. . Cornerback

Joe Haden isn’t going to play forever. Artie Burns has had an up-and-down career to date. Mike Hilton is a restricted free agent. The Steelers need to add some help to the secondary just to ensure that they are deep enough to hold up in coverage.

And with the 20th overall pick, DeAndre Baker is a great value.

Baker has been a long-time starter at the University of Georgia, and he has been one of their best players in each of the past two years. He has logged five interceptions in that span and has consistently covered opposing No. 1 receivers. And in that role, he has done well.

Baker is a smart, savvy cornerback who has great instincts and runs with the receivers he covers. It’s tough to gain significant separation against Baker, and that alone should give him the opportunity to be a No. 1 corner in the NFL. Sure, he doesn’t have great speed, but he makes up for it with his physical play and tight coverage.

With the Steelers, Baker could start across from Haden with Burns moving into more of a backup role until he’s ready to take over for Haden. It’s also notable that Baker is a steal with the 20th pick, as he could easily go in the early-teens. So, the Steelers will pounce and be happy to land the well-rounded SEC product.

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