The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2025 offseason. With free agency as the next big event to shape next season’s roster, it will be followed by the NFL draft in April. The Steelers will have a number of decisions with players who were on the 2024 roster and will have the opportunity to add some free agent acquisitions before making their first draft selection. The NFL combine and player pro days will also shape the team’s big boards before the draft.

When talking about mock drafts or NFL free agency, one first has to first identify the team’s main needs for the offseason. Before any gains or losses in free agency, there are some who would like to see the Steelers go with either cornerback or defensive line with their first-round pick. Others feel wide receiver or even quarterback could be on top of the list. With plenty of chances for the Steelers to shape their roster prior to April, their goal is usually to get into position to draft the best player available rather than target a specific position. When it comes to what position the team will select with their first pick, it is certainly up for debate.

In the latest one-round mock draft by CBSSports.com, they have the Steelers addressing the cornefrback position this season before anything else. With the Steelers needing to add to this position group in in either free agency or the draft, selecting a cornerback in the first round would be a good idea if the right player is there. Since the Steelers could go in any number of directions with their first selection, it is important to look at all the possibilities presented by various mock draft outlets.

Check out the Steelers 21st pick:

20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Benjamin Morrison  | CB | Notre Dame | JR |

Being early in the draft process, there may be some players most fans are not familiar with. If this is the case, here is a breakdown of Morrison according to bleacherreport.com:

Benjamin Morrison

• HEIGHT: 6′
• WEIGHT: 190

POSITIVES

— Smooth athlete with good short-area quickness and lateral movement. He plays with a fluid backpedal and controlled balance.

— In coverage, he keeps very good leverage and positioning on receivers. As he works downfield he squeezes off their lane and looks to attack the ball.

— Has shown flexibility in playing both outside and slot cornerback positions.

— Shows the necessary timing and ball skills to decipher what is needed at the high point when playing the ball.

— Shows good physicality and willingness to set the edge and get involved in the run game.

NEGATIVES

— Morrison can be inconsistent with his transitions, giving up separation. He can also be bumped off the top of routes at times.

— Lacks ideal closing speed when giving a step or two.

— Morrison can get antsy in zone coverage. He looks for big plays and can lose threats in his zone.

2024 STATISTICS

— 6 Games, 20 Tackles, 4 PBU

NOTES

— Born Mar. 11, 2004

— Games Started: 26

— 4-Star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247 Sports

— 2024 Injured his hip in week 7 against Stanford. Required hip surgery that kept him out the remainder of the season.

— 2023 First-Team All-Independent; Independent Cornerback of the Year

— 2022 First-Team All-Independent; Freshman All-American; Independent Cornerback of the Year

OVERALL

Benjamin Morrison is a versatile cornerback prospect out of Notre Dame, known for his quickness, fluidity, and ability to play both outside and in the slot. Standing at 6′ and weighing 190 pounds, Morrison brings a well-rounded skill set to the position. His athleticism, combined with his physicality and football IQ, make him a compelling option for NFL teams looking to bolster their secondary. He is a former Freshman All-American with a ton of playing experience under his belt.

Morrison is a smooth athlete with good short-area quickness and lateral movement, which allows him to maintain a fluid backpedal and controlled balance in coverage. He excels at keeping leverage and positioning on receivers, often squeezing them off their lane as they work downfield and positioning himself to make a play on the ball. Morrison’s ball skills are well-developed, showing the necessary timing and understanding to play the ball at its highest point, whether he’s playing outside or in the slot.

However, Morrison can be inconsistent with his transitions, sometimes leading to more agile receivers gaining separation. Additionally, while he has good size, his closing speed isn’t ideal, making it difficult for him to recover if he loses a step. Morrison can get antsy in zone coverage, occasionally prioritizing big plays over maintaining discipline in his assignment, leading to lost threats in his zone.

In the run game, Morrison shows good physicality and a willingness to set the edge, actively getting involved in run support. Despite his solid frame, Morrison sometimes plays like he’s lighter than he is, occasionally struggling to disengage from bigger blockers who can push him around or shield him off the edge. This inconsistency in shedding blocks can limit his effectiveness in stopping runs that bounce to the outside. Nonetheless, his overall effort and willingness to engage in run defense are positive traits that can be further developed with proper coaching and strength conditioning.

Benjamin Morrison projects as a late first-round to early second-round pick with the potential to be a first-year starter in the NFL. His combination of smooth athleticism, versatility in coverage, and physicality in the run game makes him a well-rounded prospect capable of fitting into multiple defensive schemes. While he needs to improve his transitions and maintain discipline in zone coverage, Morrison’s skill set offers a high ceiling. With continued development, particularly in his ability to shed blocks and refine his coverage techniques, Morrison has the potential to become a reliable starting cornerback at the next level.

GRADE: 8.0 (Year 1 Starter — Late 1st – Early 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 23

POSITION RANK: CB4

PRO COMPARISON: Kendall Fuller

For all you who are preparing yourself for the draft, what do you think of the selection? Would you be on board with the Steelers taking Morrison with their first pick? Or do you feel there is a better player at this position, a different one who may still be available, or that Morrison will not make it to the 21st pick? Personally, shoring up the cornerback position opposite of Joey Porter Jr. would be a good thing, something I thought the Steelers could have even done last year if they would have gone with Quinyon Mitchell over Troy Fautanu (I was fine with either selection). It also seems, at least at this time, that this would be an appropriate spot for Morrison to be taken. If the Steelers like him, I would be on board.