The Pittsburgh Steelers have some holes on their roster, and while the majority of the national media is enamored with the quarterback position, the real team needs reside in more than just one position. One of those positions of need would be at cornerback. Despite the Steelers selecting Joey Porter Jr. with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it is a no-brainer the team will need to add at the position.

Will it be early in the draft? Some think it will, and that includes ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. In Kiper’s latest mock draft he has the Steelers taking a cornerback in Round 1. Let’s take a look at how Kiper sees the board breaking down:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2. Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3. New England Patriots – Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
4. Arizona Cardinals – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
5. Los Angeles Chargers – JC Latham, OT, Alabama
6. New York Giants – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
7. Tennessee Titans – Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
8. Atlanta Falcons – Dallas Turner, OLB, Alabama
9. Chicago Bears – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
10. New York Jets – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
11. Minnesota Vikings – Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
12. Denver Broncos – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
13. Las Vegas Raiders – Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
14. New Orleans Saints – Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
15. Indianapolis Colts – Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
16. Seattle Seahawks – Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
18. Cincinnati Bengals – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
19. Los Angeles Rams – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

“I went corner in my Mock Draft 1.0, and I don’t see a reason to change, though the Steelers just cut starting center Mason Cole and will have to replace him. Wiggins could pair a formidable pairing with Joey Porter Jr., who came on in the second half of last season. Wiggins allowed just 4.2 yards per attempt as the nearest defender in coverage last season, taking a leap forward from 2022, when he allowed 6.1. At 6-2, 185 pounds, he has a great blend of size and speed. With 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and a sack, he showed up all over the Tigers’ 2023 tape.”

For those who want to know more about Wiggins, here is a breakdown via The Draft Network:

Strengths:

NFL-caliber size/stature
Competitiveness
Football IQ

Concerns:

Long speed
Run defense/tackling
Fluid transitions

Film Analysis: 

Nate Wiggins has the look of an outside/perimeter cornerback. The combination of height, arm length, and instincts are the base of his intrigue.

Wiggins plays mostly off-man and Cover 3 zone coverage. He has a smooth and comfortable press bail and bail drop as he enters his designated area in coverage. Wiggins does a good job carrying vertical routes down the field and maintaining positioning to make a play at the breakpoint. He is very competitive in coverage and at the catch point. He will attack the body of the receiver and rake through their hands to prevent a reception. If there is no threat of speed, he will sit and/or squat on routes and limit separation at the breakpoint.

In man coverage, Wiggins is patient in the contact window and does not rely on being overly physical. From his eye discipline to his footwork, he can leverage the release of the receiver and timing of the route. I appreciate how quickly he attempts to eliminate the space between himself and the receiver to squeeze them to the sideline on vertical stems. He is experienced in playing trail technique/man-under to create smaller throwing lanes for the QB. His ability to diagnose and recognize quick routes and screens is impressive. Wiggins reads route concepts well from depth, this increases his trigger downhill to click and close.

Wiggins struggles with stopping and starting. He does not have the best burst to gather back up to speed quickly and work back into phase on vertical routes. While his bail technique is smooth, he is high-hipped and a little segmented with his backpedal. He does not turn or change directions as fluidly. I would like to see more enthusiasm from Wiggins as a run defender. He does not look to engage or enter the action unless necessary and tackling is adequate.

Wiggins projects as a starting outside cornerback for a cover-3-based defensive system. Wiggins can play man-to-man coverage from both off and press alignment. He is a competitive, versatile cornerback who can help a defense as a starter.

Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber

What would you think if this is how the board fell, and was the Steelers’ pick? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers.