ESPN's Todd McShay Has Steelers Make Surprise Cornerback Selection In New 2023 Mock Draft

With cornerback being one of the top needs, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been connected to several of them this offseason. In free agency, there are a few veteran options available in the case that Cam Sutton signs elsewhere. At the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, the front office made it quite clear that they plan on drafting a cornerback. They met with all of the ones that you would expect them to, which included first-rounders Joey Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez. 

The front office also met with guys projected to go in the middle rounds, so it feels like a lock that they will pick one at some point in the draft. One guy was able to improve his stock in Indianapolis, despite his small stature, which would be Emmanuel Forbes of Mississippi State. ESPN’s Todd McShay released his updated mock draft on Tuesday morning, and he has the Steelers taking the quick CB with the 17th overall pick:

“Forbes is flying up my board just like he flew in the 40-yard dash on Friday night, posting a 4.35. He has great ball production, picking off 14 passes and breaking up 18 more over three seasons. Forbes also measured in at 6-1 and 166 pounds at the combine. That might scare some teams off in Round 1, but they shouldn't discount the high-level instincts and body control that we see on tape," McShay said about Forbes.

Should the size scare away the Steelers?

As McShay pointed out, Forbes weighed in at 166 pounds in Indianapolis. That’s obviously a concern for the NFL level, as one would assume he’ll have to bulk up a bit before the 2023 season. While McShay points out Forbes' positive traits, the size likely will ultimately keep him out of the early-to-middle first round. Elsewhere though, he put together a solid performance. 

The Mississippi State corner put up a 9.32 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), which takes several Combine performances and stacks it up against other guys at the position. His weight was the only downfall, as he otherwise showed elite speed and good athleticism. After his showing in Indianapolis though, it seems he could now be in play for the Steelers' 17th overall pick, but more realistically, the 32nd pick.