NFL Draft Mock 5.0: Two-round mock, post-free agency
By Ian Cummings
Look, the Steelers just need help at cornerback. It’s as simple as that. Joe Haden, while still serviceable, is growing older, and Artie Burns hasn’t given the team the returns they desired.
The Steelers did sign Steven Nelson in free agency, to a three-year, $25 million deal. He wasn’t worth that much money from a performance perspective, but the Steelers might prefer him as a band-aid, to using a first-round pick on a position they might not see as a pressing need. In this mock, however, “best player available” coalesces with need, and the Steelers can’t say no to Byron Murphy.
If the Steelers are looking to add a long-term starter at cornerback with low bust potential, then Byron Murphy is the guy to target in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murphy is a bit underweight, but that’s almost the only bad thing you can say about him as a prospect. Otherworldly movement ability? Check. Spatial awareness and closing speed? Check. Ball skills? Check. Tackling prowess? Check. Awareness and processing speed? Double check.
Byron Murphy is the best cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he’s a top ten player in the class on talent alone. Due to size, he could slip, but to put it bluntly, he shouldn’t. And if the Steelers have popped the tape, they should see the same thing.