Steelers All Over Top Cornerback Prospects at NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — The Pittsburgh Steelers are all over the top cornerbacks in the draft class at the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

The Steelers have had or have scheduled formal meetings with a half-dozen of the top cornerbacks prospects in Indianapolis, including options for both their first- and second-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Speaking with the media in Indianapolis on Thursday, six cornerbacks confirmed that they have or have scheduled formal meetings with the Steelers: Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, Michigan’s Mike Sainristil, Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean.

Two more, Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quinyon Mitchell, were delayed by their medical testing but are also likely Steelers targets. (Update: They have also had a formal meeting with McKinstry.)

The Steelers invested heavily in the cornerback position in 2023, drafting Joey Porter Jr. in the first round, Cory Trice Jr. in the seventh round, and also landing Darius Rush after he was waived by the Indianapolis Colts.

But they will likely need to go to back to the well at the position in 2024. Outside cornerback Levi Wallace and slot corner Chandon Sullivan are both free agents. Patrick Peterson is a potential salary cap casualty and at 33 years old, is not a long-term answer, either.

Arnold (10th), Mitchell (15th), Wiggins (16th) and DeJean (18th) are all currently projected by NFL Mock Draft Database average to go ahead of where the Steelers pick in the first round at No. 20.

McKinstry is projected as the No. 20 player in the draft class, while Rakestraw (31) and Lassiter (37) are currently pegged to land in between the Steelers’ first-round pick and their second selection at No. 51 in the second round.

The Steelers previously scouted Mitchell at the Senior Bowl, but this is their first chance to get up close with the rest of the cornerback class, and they seem to be taking advantage.