Steelers to Host Kentucky CB Andru Phillips on Pre-Draft Visit

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips on a pre-draft visit, MLFootball first reported and a source confirmed to Steelers Now. 

Phillips is the first known cornerback to visit Pittsburgh for an official 30 visit. The previously known players that were otherwise coming were mostly offensive tackles, defensive tackles, and wide receivers, which is not that unexpected. Phillips has other visits set up with the Cardinals, Bears, Eagles, and 49ers.

He is currently projected to be the 97th overall player off the board by the NFL Mock Draft Database, which would put his stock right around the second third-round selection that the Steelers have on the season. It’s not surprising that the Steelers would be interested in Phlilips. He is the type of player who can give them inside-out versatility and has even played games exclusively from the nickel.

With a need for outside cornerback depth and a gaping hole in the slot, someone who plays both could fill it. That would put guys like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Terrion Arnold on the first-round radar, but it reverberates down the draft board to guys like Phillips, who can play outside and inside.

Phillips ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showcasing solid speed. And at the Senior Bowl, he proved to be someone who could walk up in press coverage and compete with his level of tenacity. There are levels of interest that the Steelers will like, and guys from the Senior Bowl have remained an integral part of Pittsburgh’s draft philosophy over the years, just as much as their pro day tracking has in general.