NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly aren't "sold" on any of the 2022 NFL draft class' quarterbacks other than Pitt's Kenny Pickett.

ESPN's Matt Miller reported Friday there's "a lot of chatter" suggesting Pickett could remain in the city where he played college football, and Miller noted it's possible the team could select an offensive tackle if he's off the board at No. 20.

"In conversations with league sources this week, one told me that Pickett to the Steelers at No. 20 is the only Round 1 quarterback on which he would bet," Miller wrote.

It's been hard to get a firm grasp on where the top QB prospects will land because this year's class doesn't feature a surefire Pro Bowl signal-caller, but Pickett to the Steelers is the one link that's been consistent, likely because of the city connection.

Pickett is coming off a senior season with the Panthers in which he completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 13 games. He added 241 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

Those numbers represented a vast improvement over his first four years at Pitt when he compiled a mediocre 39-25 TD-to-INT ratio, so whichever team ends up with the 23-year-old New Jersey native will be betting he'll continue that growth in the coming years.

"It's a crazy process," Pickett told reporters in March. "Every day I wake up and there's some news going on, guys getting traded. But I'll be right where I'm supposed to be at the end of April. So I'm excited to get there."

The Steelers took one step toward replacing longtime starter Ben Roethlisberger, who retired in January, when they signed Mitchell Trubisky in free agency.

Trubisky spent last season as the backup to Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills after four up-and-down years leading the Chicago Bears offense. In February, he told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler his time in Buffalo was a valuable learning experience.

"You can't be afraid to make mistakes," Trubisky said. "When guys are playing free, you can be at your best. I wanted to learn how [the Bills] helped Josh, and I saw that firsthand."

Trubisky will likely open training camp as the Steelers' No. 1 QB, which would create a pressure-free environment for Pickett to start his NFL career.

If he shines throughout camp and the preseason, it'll be possible for him to overtake Trubisky to win the starting job. If he needs development time, he can spend a season behind the former Bears starter, and the team can reassess the situation next summer.

There are other franchises still searching for a quarterback, so it's no guarantee Pickett will still be on the board at No. 20. If he is, it would be a surprise if the Steelers pass on him.

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 247

POSITIVES

— Tall, rocked-up build with good length.

— Energetic and physical player. Scraps and works to the ball until the whistle.

— Consistent punch in the run game. Helps him anchor fairly well.

— Flashes of good upper-body strength and power to control blocks.

— Decent range in space.

NEGATIVES

— Poor snap get-off. False steps out of his stance all the time; not particularly explosive.

— Not a natural bender. Shows stiffness when trying to round the corner as a pass-rusher.

— Hand usage as a pass-rusher is a bit wild right now. Needs to be more planned out.

— Does not have a clear dynamic pass-rushing trait. More of a hustle player than anything.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 54 TOT, 12.5 TFL, 9 SK, 1 FF

NOTES

— Unrated recruit in 2017.

— Took over starting job in 2019.

— 2019 third-team All-MEAC.

— 2021 first-team All-MEAC.

OVERALL

De'Shaan Dixon has the size and physicality of an NFL run defender, but he will need to improve his pass-rushing skills at the next level.

Dixon is a scrappy player. As a run defender, he does well to use his length and consistently strike offensive linemen first. His strength may come and go, but he does show moments of overwhelming power, which could be something he unlocks with better coaching. He also does well to hold his ground, showing plenty of anchor to hold up in the pros.

Additionally, Dixon plays with a red-hot motor. He is relentlessly scrapping to free himself from blocks and chase down ball-carriers until he hears the whistle. When coupled with his solid range, he has stretches where he is around the ball all the time.

However, Dixon needs a lot of work as a pass-rusher. His issues start with his snap get-off. Dixon tends to take extra steps getting out of his stance, which prevents him from exploding out and threatening the edge immediately. Even then, his bend is lackluster at this stage. He does not win around the corner consistently enough.

Furthermore, Dixon does a worse job using his hands and length as a pass-rusher than he does as a run defender. His pass-rushing effectiveness boils down to effort and glimpses of impressive strength, but nothing more.

Dixon can find a backup role for himself as a tough, run-defending outside linebacker who helps clean up as a pass-rusher. To bloom into a legit rotational player or starter, though, he'll need to tap into something more as a pass-rusher.

GRADE: 5.7 (Backup/Draftable - 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 266

POSITION RANK: EDGE29

PRO COMPARISON: Poor man's Tyus Bowser

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'2 1/4"

WEIGHT: 192

HAND: 9 1/4"

ARM: 32 3/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'6 1/8"

40-YARD DASH: 4.54

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Physical player who looks to impose his will in both the run and pass game.

— Athletic player who does a good job getting in phase with receivers. Moves feet to mirror receivers, uses hands well to control and gets into the hip pocket quickly.

— Aggressive player in the run game. Recognizes runs and quickly closes ground on the ball carrier. Generally keeps good leverage and is a very good tackler who wraps up to get the ball-carrier down with little extra yards.

NEGATIVES

— Top-end speed is a question. He does a good job running with receivers on intermediate routes but quickly allows separation downfield. Lacks recovery speed when caught out of position.

— Average functional strength can show up when taking on blocks. Looks to keep leverage instead of controlling and getting rid of blocks. He can also be slow to disengage blocks.

— Hip tightness can show up when moving laterally. Can struggle when in press with quicker receivers. Tends to get rocked back on his heels and gives a step when flipping hips.

2021 STATISTICS

13 Games, 46 Tkls, 3.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 7 PBU, 1 FF

NOTES

— 2021 Media All-Big-Ten Honoree

OVERALL

Vincent Gray is a long cornerback with an aggressive and physical play style. He shows the ability to play in both man and zone while also supporting the run game. As a two-year starter, he appeared in 35 games with 21 starts at cornerback.

When playing in press coverage, he shows the necessary patience and ability to stay square at the line of scrimmage. Although he has some hip tightness that prevents lateral movement, he moves his feet and has good hands to control and get in phase with receivers. He has the ability to sink his hips and match breaks when defending short and medium routes. When breaking from off-coverage, he doesn't always trust his eyes and can be hesitant out of breaks.

Though Gray can occasionally have a poor understanding of routes, when he sees it, he drives on the ball with good angles and does a very good job of competing at the reception point. As he fights to break up passes, he has shown to have a slow internal clock; allowing catches on timing routes and with his back to the ball. When downfield, his lack of top end speed can show up, allowing receivers to gain a step and separate.

Gray shows up the most when defending the run. Here, he shows good aggression and physicality, especially when tackling. He gets his hands on blockers to keep his leverage but can get pushed around or blocked out. Although he is physical, he can occasionally have trouble disengaging from blocks. A willing tackler who quickly supports the run, he closes ground on the ball-carrier and delivers a blow when tackling. Gray is a good wrap tackler who does a very good job of getting the ball-carrier down on the ground.

Gray did a good job of playing his role for the Michigan defense but wasn't a huge playmaker. As a high-level prospect, he will need to continue to develop his skills for the next step.

GRADE: 6.2 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 198

POSITION RANK: CB26

PRO COMPARISON: Bryce Hall

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

HEIGHT: 6'2 3/8"

WEIGHT: 200

HAND: 9"

ARM: 32 7/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'7 1/4"

40-YARD DASH: 4.43

3-CONE: 6.71

SHUTTLE: 4.15

VERTICAL: 39"

BROAD: 11'0"

POSITIVES

— Quality deep threat. Good speed (testing and on film) and tracks the ball well.

— Moments of smooth movement in and out of his breaks, particularly on routes over the middle.

— Flashed the ability to beat press with hands and strength.

— Locates the ball well with strong hands. Can make plays in traffic.

— Strong, energetic blocker, both outside and from the slot.

— Played all over. Isolated, outside, inside, etc. Helped ND offense align however it wanted.

NEGATIVES

— Can be too reliant on his physicality to get him open or off the line of scrimmage. Won't be as easy in the NFL.

— Needs to develop consistency as a route-runner. Has the athletic tools to make it work.

— Needs to add more tools at the line of scrimmage to beat press. Quickness and foot speed are lacking.

— Not much wiggle with the ball in his hands. Needs his speed unleashed in the open field.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 48 REC, 888 YDS (18.5 AVG), 7 TD

NOTES

— 4-star recruit in 2018.

— Started in only the 2021 season.

— Missed the entire 2019 season, partly due to a four-game suspension.

— Missed a majority of the 2020 season with a broken foot.

OVERALL

Kevin Austin Jr. is a downfield threat with just enough of everything else to warrant serious intrigue as a high-level developmental prospect.

Speed is a core principle of Austin's game. Though he isn't a truly elite burner, Austin plays with very good speed both down the field and across it. Moreover, he finds the ball well down the field. He flashes moments of climbing the ladder to high-point the ball, as well as some tough contested and acrobatic catches on the sideline.

Austin's speed shows up with the ball in his hands, too. He is more of a straight-line burner than a complete yards-after-catch threat, but he gets the job done.

Austin will be able to play all over the formation as well. He has the frame to play both inside and out, including as an isolated X receiver. In addition to size, Austin brings a ton of strength and effort as a blocker, often overwhelming his opponents. His blend of size, blocking prowess and speed allowed him to line up all over the formation for Notre Dame and help unlock the rest of the offense to do what it needed to.

With that being said, Austin is raw as a real receiver right now. While he can beat press from time to time with his hands and strength, he does have a tendency to be too patient and end up slow off the snap. He must learn how to be quicker at the line and disarm press on his terms.

Austin could also stand to tighten up his route running. He has moments of smooth breaks, particularly on YAC-oriented routes over the middle, but his work on sharp breaks and timing routes can be erratic. Austin will need to start winning more with footwork and tempo rather than physicality and raw speed to become a complete receiver.

Austin's size, speed, blocking and positional flexibility should make him a depth contributor sooner than later. Although he's incomplete out of the gate, he should be able to provide some degree of value early on as a field-stretcher, both from the slot and outside. Austin will need time to iron out the finer parts of his game, but he could develop into a decent role-playing starter by the end of his rookie deal.

GRADE: 6.6 (Potential Role Player - 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 147

POSITION RANK: WR23

PRO COMPARISON: Sammy Watkins

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'0 5/8"

WEIGHT: 197

HAND: 9 1/4"

ARM: 30 7/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'2 1/2"

40-YARD DASH: 4.39

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 34.5"

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Long athlete with desired length, speed and athleticism.

— Plays with very good speed on film. Able to run with most receivers he's matched up against. Ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

— Does a good job mirroring receivers and fighting through the catch point. Calm with the ball in the air.

NEGATIVES

— Shows some lateral tightness in press coverage. Struggles to keep up with in-breaking routes, losing leverage and takes some time to make up ground.

— Has difficulty sinking his hips when running full speed. He takes a few extra steps to get out of his break.

— Can tend to have poor positioning downfield and gets handsy with receivers, often drawing penalties.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 32 TOT, 1 TFL, 3 INT, 4 PBU

NOTES

— One-year starter.

— Missed two games with a hip injury in 2020.

— Missed 2018 season with a knee injury.

OVERALL

Jalyn Armour-Davis is a long, lean cornerback with plenty of speed and athleticism. At Alabama, showed his versatility by playing both the slot and outside.

Though Armour-Davis doesn't alway play with the crisp technique you would expect from an Alabama cornerback, he flashed plenty of tools in his one season as a starter. His speed was evident in the pass game, but he seems to struggle with some technical things earlier on in the progression.

Armour-Davis struggled with his lateral movement, allowing receivers easy inside releases, and he had inconsistent pad level at times. He often plays from an open shuffle technique, but he showed patience and was able to tempo himself to stay on top of routes.

When breaking, Armour-Davis is able to sink his hips and match with shorter routes, but he struggles to sink his hips when breaking from a full run. He gave up extra steps and allowed some separation. When playing the ball, he showed very good timing and the ability to attack the catch point, although he was often taken advantage of with his back to the ball.

Armour-Davis does a good job of fighting through blocks in the run game, using his speed to dip and rip through blocks or using his hands to shed blockers. He is a willing blocker who prefers to wrap up ball-carriers to get them to the ground. He dropped his head and missed tackles on occasion, but he can easily correct that in the NFL with coaching.

Armour-Davis is an interesting prospect with plenty of upside. He showed his athleticism in man coverage but struggled to be consistent with his technique. He'll need to work on that in the NFL. He should only get better and eventually work toward competing for a starting spot.

GRADE: 6.8 (Potential Role Player - 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 128

POSITION RANK: CB16

PRO COMPARISON: Anthony Averett

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

HEIGHT: 6'3 3/8"

WEIGHT: 327

HAND: 10 1/8"

ARM: 33"

WINGSPAN: 6'8 5/8"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: 7.85

SHUTTLE: 4.72

VERTICAL: 28"

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Massive build with decent length.

— Slightly quicker side-to-side than his body type suggests.

— Plays with good pad level and anchor. Can manage double-teams.

— High-energy play style, particularly as a pass-rusher.

— Constantly scrapping and fighting after engaged to free himself off blocks.

NEGATIVES

— Hand usage and upper-body strength are too inconsistent. Rarely takes over blocks with force.

— Feet can start to lag behind if he needs to work laterally while being engaged. Gets off-balance.

— Pass-rushing skills are limited to his relentlessness and decent lower-body strength. Nothing dynamic.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 57 TOT, 6 TFL, 0.5 SK, 4 PD, 1 FR

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2017.

— Three-year starter.

— Suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2018.

— 2021 second-team All-Pac 12.

OVERALL

DJ Davidson may not find himself in the backfield very often, but he can be an anchor in the run game off the bench.

Davidson is at his best when eating up space in the run game. While he does flash better quickness than his build suggests and can occasionally wiggle past blocks, Davidson tends to be better when plays are directed right at him. He does well to come off the ball with good pad level and maintain that leverage throughout the play. While Davidson isn't someone who can fire off into the backfield, he anchors quite effectively, even against double-teams. He is not the kind of player who loses ground very often.

Davidson can struggle when he's asked to get moving across the line of scrimmage or rush the passer, though. His feet can start to lag behind him when working laterally across the line, which can lead to him getting knocked off-balance. He will need to clean that up if he wants to become a more consistent and complete player.

As a pass-rusher, Davidson is mostly an effort and leg-drive guy. He flashes decent power in his lower body and rarely gives up on plays until the whistle is over, but that alone does not make him more useful than any other nose tackle at rushing the passer. Davidson will need to develop a bit more as a pass-rusher to add value there.

Davidson can comfortably play nose guard in any system. He has the anchor, pad level and physicality to hang in the pros. Davidson's middling pass-rushing skills and lack of dynamic ability to affect the backfield limit his ceiling, but he can stick around as a solid run defender off the bench.

GRADE: 6.0 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 223

POSITION RANK: DL23

PRO COMPARISON: Mike Pennel

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'1 1/8"

WEIGHT: 233

HAND: 10"

ARM: 31 1/2"

WINGSPAN: 6'3 5/8"

40-YARD DASH: 4.60

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 36"

BROAD: 10'2"

POSITIVES

— Above-average speed and sideline-to-sideline ability.

— Comfortable triggering on outside runs and taking good angles to the ball.

— Moments of impressive quickness and short-area burst.

— Tested fairly well across the board at the NFL combine.

— Fairly reliable tackler, both in space and in a phone booth.

NEGATIVES

— Play strength is a concern.

— Below-average ability to take on blocks. Often allows OL to stick to him and move him around.

— Tends to be too patient versus the run. Limits opportunities to be a playmaker.

— Coverage responsibilities and success were limited in college despite quality athletic tools.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 74 TOT, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 SK, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FR

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2017.

— Two-year starter.

— 2020 second-team All-ACC.

OVERALL

Baylon Spector has enough athleticism to stick in the NFL, but he will need to add some strength and iron out his game to do so.

At Clemson, Spector most often played to the short side of the field and away from the strength of the formation. His best plays from that spot came when he was allowed to track plays to the perimeter. Not only does Spector take consistent angles, but he clears the bar for sideline-to-sideline speed and can bring down ball-carriers before they turn the corner up the field. He also flashed impressive quickness and burst when operating in tight spaces, but he will need to grow more comfortable playing in traffic to unlock those traits.

Spector's work between the tackles needs work. For one, he tends to play a little too patient when trash starts forming in front of him. Spector is not willing enough to trigger at full speed and go blow up a blocker when he needs to. In turn, there are too many plays where the play is decided before he has any say in what happened. Moreover, Spector's ability to take control of blocks and shed them is questionable at this stage. He could stand to use his hands better when initiating contact, as well as add some strength to rip blockers off more easily.

Spector has some tools as a weak-side run-and-chase player. He shows enough range on film, and his testing numbers at the NFL combine suggest he may still have more athletic potential with which to work. With that said, Spector is not yet ready to play between the tackles at the pro level and will need to add some strength to his game.

Spector can be a backup outside linebacker and special teamer while working toward a faster, more physical play style in the box.

GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable - 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 279

POSITION RANK: LB29

PRO COMPARISON: Shaun Dion Hamilton

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 230

POSITIVES

— Energetic player. Takes off at full speed to the ball and does not stop.

— Above-average range. Can get to the perimeter and finish plays.

— Good quickness. Can manipulate and beat blockers in space.

— Consistent tackler. Strikes well and reliably brings players to the ground.

NEGATIVES

— Terribly short arms. Makes it easy for OL to overtake him.

— Play strength is a concern. Struggles to punch and control blocks as well as anchor in the run game.

— Lackluster acceleration and bend around the edge.

— Played edge in college, but will almost certainly have to play off the ball in the NFL. Tough projection.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 63 TOT, 8.5 TFL, 6.5 SK, 1 PD, 2 FR, 4 FF

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2017.

— Three-year starter.

OVERALL

Kyron Johnson was a quick, sawed-off pass-rusher in college, but he will likely need to be moved off the ball to find a role in the pros.

Johnson primarily played on the edge for Kansas. He flashed a decent first step as well as the foot quickness and suddenness to beat offensive tackles when given room to work with.

However, more of Johnson’s value came in the run game. He proved to be a high-energy player in space who could chase plays to the perimeter or from the backside thanks to his speed. No matter the angle, Johnson typically showed off reliable tackling skills in those situations.

With that said, Johnson did not quite show NFL pass-rushing traits despite his success there in college. He often struggled to accelerate to the edge, and he did not show consistent bend when trying to turn the corner. Pair that with his short arms and below-average play strength, and it becomes hard to imagine Johnson doing much as a pass-rusher other than on twists and creative blitz paths.

Johnson's film suggests he may struggle in the NFL as a run defender on the edge, too. Despite good range and chase skills, he does not fare well when plays are headed his way. He tends to give up space when trying to anchor, and his short arms often allow him to get swallowed up by offensive linemen.

Johnson will be a linebacker conversion project. His speed, quickness and general scrappiness may serve him better as a run-and-chase "Will" off-ball linebacker. With that said, Johnson's short arms and play strength along with the learning curve for a new position will make it tough for him to have an impact early in his career.

GRADE: 5.4 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential - UDFA)

OVERALL RANK: 290

POSITION RANK: LB31

PRO COMPARISON: Sutton Smith

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'0 3/4"

WEIGHT: 208

HAND: 9 1/4"

ARM: 30 5/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'3 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: 7.57

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 25.5"

BROAD: 9'3"

POSITIVES

— Above-average arm strength. Can throw with zip and rip it down the field.

— Rapid-fire release. Consistently able to get the ball out in a hurry.

— Great accuracy to all levels when throwing in rhythm.

— Glimpses of impressive pocket movement.

— Quick processor with what the offense asked of him.

NEGATIVES

— Middling athlete. Not much of a threat to run.

— RPO-heavy system didn't give him many chances to show pro-level processing skills. Will have a steep learning curve.

— Can get fidgety when pressured, leading to misfires.

— Accuracy wavers a bit whenever he is asked to throw out of rhythm or off-platform.

2021 STATISTICS

13 G, 230-362 (63.5%), 3,277 YDS, 9.1 Y/A, 23 TD, 6 INT, 157.2 RTG, 87 ATT, 64 YDS (0.7 AVG), 6 TD

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2018.

— Two-year starter.

— 2020 third-team All-MAC.

— 2021 second-team All-MAC.

OVERALL

Kaleb Eleby is a point-and-shoot quarterback prospect with enough arm strength and accuracy to warrant interest as a developmental case.

Eleby comes from a Western Michigan offense littered with run-pass options, and he has the right skills to thrive in that environment. Though Western Michigan did not task him with a ton in terms of processing, Eleby generally played quickly within the system. He also plays with a swift release and often keeps his throwing base stable, helping him operate well in rhythm.

When throwing in rhythm, Eleby shows great velocity and good ball placement, particularly on in-breakers and deep routes. Additionally, he flashed moments of thoughtful pocket management, which could be something he continues to build on in the pros.

With that said, Eleby will face a steep learning curve in the NFL, as he does not have elite tools. Western Michigan's offense was pared down quite a bit compared to pro offenses and was much more RPO-reliant than he will experience in the pros.

Eleby's ball placement can get sporadic when he's asked to progress beyond his first read or throw off-platform, both of which will become more necessary in the NFL. He also lacks the athleticism to be a difference-maker outside the pocket, which means he will need to develop his skills as a pocket passer. However, he only has a good arm, not an outstanding one.

Eleby's crisp release, solid arm strength and functional accuracy all suggest he is worth a swing during the draft. With that said, he is on the smaller side and does not have dynamic athletic ability. His development may also be a bit slower than other prospects considering the offense he is coming from.

Eleby will likely top out as a high-level backup to spot starter, but he could be an interesting fit for an offense that can simplify some of his reads early on and allow him to uncork deep passes.

GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 175

POSITION RANK: QB9

PRO COMPARISON: Discount Geno Smith

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'0 3/8"

WEIGHT: 187

HAND: 8 3/4"

ARM: 31 1/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'2 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: 4.48

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 37.5"

BROAD: 10'6"

POSITIVES

— Versatile player who has shown the ability to play in both press- and off-coverage from the slot and outside cornerback position.

— Very good vision and anticipation when playing in zone coverage. Can bait the quarterback into throws.

— Shows up in both run and screen games. Takes on blockers to declare leverage.

NEGATIVES

— Decent hip mobility but can be slow at times when flipping or sinking hips. Shows some trouble closing space out of breaks.

— Below-average functional strength. Can get pushed around at times. Especially from bigger blockers.

— Inconsistent tackling. Can come in out of control while also diving at legs or throwing arms out to tackle.

2021 STATISTICS

11 G, 33 TOT, 2 TFL, 1 SK, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF

NOTES

— Highly touted All-American in High School

— 2021 All-Pac-12 honorable mention

OVERALL

Chris Steele was a highly regarded player coming out of high school. Having started six games in both the 2019 and 2020 season, he became a full time starter in 2021.

He has very good height and length for the position. Showing to play in multiple schemes and positions, he does a good job playing in press man. In press, he does a decent job moving his feet, although he shows to have some lateral tightness. He is able to flip his hips to get in phase but can struggle sinking to mirror breaks, often giving up a step or two.

Though he can be an explosive player at times, he lacks the initial burst needed out of breaks. Often an aggressive player downfield, he does a lot of hand fighting, which he will need to clean up at the next level. When downfield, he can sometimes be slow locating the ball but does a good job playing through the catch point when in phase. When playing with his back to the ball, Steele can often be slow to react and allow easy receptions. He has good speed when opening to run with receivers but lacks the recovery speed needed when caught out of position or pressed with a twitchier athlete.

Steele has a quick reaction when playing the run or screen game. He uses his quickness to beat blockers to the point and uses his hands well to control and disengage. Though he can react quickly, he often has trouble disengaging from bigger blockers and can get pushed around at times. When playing in off-coverage, he does a good job of reading and reacting, flowing well to the ball and taking good angles. On contact, he primarily is a wrap up tackler but can show to deliver bigger hits at times, though bigger backs can run through his arm tackles.

Steele has shown to have good production throughout his career but didn't always show up in bigger games or against some of the more notable receivers. He will need to shore up his tackling, as well as hand use when in coverage. His versatility will give him more opportunity to find a home but will need to overcome his late draft position, if he is even drafted.

GRADE: 5.3 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential - UDFA)

OVERALL RANK: 300

POSITION RANK: CB34

PRO COMPARISON: Chris Williamson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings