Pro Football Focus has ranked Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Shakur Brown among the best undrafted free agent signings following the 2021 NFL Draft.
PFF considers Brown the fifth-best undrafted free agent addition overall and the third-ranked defensive back signing.
“Brown made just 12 career starts at the college level, but he has shown that he has the potential to hold his own on an NFL field,” PFF’s Zach Tantillo writes. “Brown recorded the seventh-highest overall grade in the nation last season (82.2) to go with the highest PFF coverage grade in the Big Ten (84.2).”
Steelers sign Michigan State CB Shakur Brown, per @TomPelissero
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021
Highest coverage grade in the Big Ten last season (84.2) pic.twitter.com/PFNJNBlSRi
PFF named Brown a Third-Team All-American a season ago, and view him as a true steal for Pittsburgh.
“Brown has just about everything you want in a corner, from outstanding ball-tracking skills to confidence in coverage,” Tantillo writes. “You don’t need much tape on Brown to know you want to go to battle with him. He’s a versatile and feisty corner.”
Browns recorded 25 total tackles, four passes defended and five interceptions, the second most in the conference. He was honored with a First-Team All-Big Ten nod last year.
With uncertainty at the cornerback position following the release of Steven Nelson and Justin Layne’s legal trouble, the Steelers have holes to fill in their secondary.
Considering his skill set and productive background at Michigan State, Brown has a real opportunity to make the Steelers roster and have a true impact in 2021.