The Pittsburgh Steelers will need to make some serious salary cap decisions to help get them in a position to continue the roster rebuild. One player who could end up on the block is cornerback Patrick Peterson. Peterson wants to stick around but with a $9.775 million cap hit and a potential savings of $6.85 million on the line, he could be on his way out.
If Peterson is cut and Levi Wallace isn’t re-signed, this leaves the Steelers with only one viable starting cornerback. Here are our six favorite cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL draft and the only guys in this draft we believe can come in and start right away.
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
- Elite athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at number 14. He wrote: “The former high school quarterback (who also lettered three times in basketball, track and baseball each) won the Iowa state long jump title (23-7 1/2 inches) and 100 meters (11.16) and has continued to get more explosive since he’s been in college”
- Possesses rare mass and frame density for a CB and has good length along with it.
- Showcases great initial burst when triggering on plays and veering to match WRs.
- Fleet-footed mover with exceptional corrective twitch and recovery athleticism.
- Boasts impressive long-track recovery and gap-closing speed, hawking in front of balls.
- Can snap into phase and realign himself to trail WRs on fades and seam routes.
- Has the short-area freedom to adjust his tempo while staying in phase and tracking.
- Extremely natural zone defender with a smooth backpedal and fluid corrective feel.
- With disciplined technique, size, and short-area mobility, he can play the slot or boundary.
Terrion Arnold – Alabama
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
Possesses an impressive frame with ideal height, solid build, and length for a cornerback combined with good speed
Confident and technical in man coverage, demonstrating physicality along the route stem.
Shows patience and aggression at the line of scrimmage, especially when playing inside
Efficient footwork, allowing him to mirror receivers effortlessly in man coverage.
Fluid hips and great explosion aid in transition and recovery phases.
Aggressive approach to downhill plays against screens.
Consistent heavy-hitting tackler – wraps up well. Could play safety
Noticeable improvements in his zone coverage skills since his freshman season.
Nate Wiggins – Clemson
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
Combines height and arm length optimally for an outside cornerback role, providing a physical edge in coverage.
Proficient in both off-man and Cover 3 zone, utilizing a fluid press bail technique.
Excels at managing and contesting vertical routes, effectively maintaining positioning and showcasing competitive aggression at the catch point.
Demonstrates patience and strategic use of eye discipline and footwork in man coverage scenarios.
Quick to close space between himself and the receiver, effectively using the sideline as an additional defender on vertical routes.
Skilled in reading and reacting to route concepts from a distance, enhancing his ability to disrupt passes.
Displays excellent quickness and agility in his movements, with a knack for timing and anticipation in pass defense.
Capable of leveraging his physical attributes and coverage skills to limit offensive options and create challenging throwing lanes for quarterbacks.
Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
Elite athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at number 46. He wrote: “Mitchell bench-pressed 225 pounds 21 times, squatted 44 and had a top speed of 23.58 MPH on the GPS this summer. He also ran in the 40 in the 4.3s twice for NFL scouts this spring. Mitchell’s teammate, running back Jacquez Stuart, an alumnus of powerhouse Miami Northwest High who once won state titles in the 100-meter dash and the 4×100-meter relay, also nearly made this list. The 5-10, 180-pound Stuart hit 23.40 MPH this summer but also squatted 550 and did 17 reps of 225”
Quinyon Mitchell displays exceptional field vision in zone coverage, adept at predicting and interrupting the quarterback’s strategy, and showcases impressive route recognition, allowing him to react effectively to aerial threats.
He’s known for his tenacity in tackling, especially against receivers, where he isn’t hesitant to engage physically and assert his presence.
Mitchell’s ball skills are among the elite; he exudes a natural instinct for the ball, translating into significant pass deflections and interceptions, becoming Toledo’s defensive backbone.
He carries a versatile skill set, comfortable both in man and zone coverages, though he shows an exceptional aptitude for zone schemes, where his ability to read the game truly shines.
His linear quickness and burst are assets in closing gaps and providing recovery, making him a daunting prospect for opposing quarterbacks and receivers alike.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. – Missouri
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
Instinctual player with a keen understanding of the game, showcasing an ability to anticipate plays and react swiftly.
Exhibits superior man coverage skills, using a blend of physicality and technique to disrupt opposing receivers.
Remarkable twitch and agility allow for quick direction changes, staying on the hip of receivers throughout their routes.
His length is a significant advantage, enabling him to contest catches effectively and disrupt passing lanes.
Displays excellent football IQ, identifying offensive schemes and making smart plays in both zone and man coverage.
Despite a lighter frame, shows a willingness to engage physically, especially in run support and tackling where he is close to elite.