2014 NFL Scouting Combine: Cornerbacks The Steelers Should Have An Eye On

Marcus Roberson, Florida

Nov 9, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Marcus Roberson (5) against the Vanderbilt Commodores works out prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Roberson has good size and versatility as he showed the ability to play both on the outside and in the slot, something that NFL teams should love.

I like him a little better than Purifoy, meaning other teams may as well so he could be gone before the Steelers select in the second round.

He has the speed to run with receivers, though not top end speed, and also plays the run very well.

Roberson is a guy used to being stuck on an island and has an excellent motor.

A couple negatives that need answered are Roberson’s lack of explosiveness and top-end speed and some injury concerns as he started only four games last year. But he was a second team All-SEC corner in 2012.

Pierre Desir, Lindenwood

The Steelers have had success targeting corners from small schools (Taylor and Allen) and Desir is a player they could look at later in the draft.

He has good size and great athleticism which should intrigue the Steelers.

The 6’1″, 195-pounder intercepted 13 passes in two seasons at Lindenwood University, a Division II school in Missouri, and teams often threw away from him.

Desir addressed questions about his level of competition in college by playing in the East-West Shrine game as well as the Senior Bowl. He is not ranked among ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s top 10 cornerbacks, and he could be available in the fourth round.

It will be interesting to see how Desir measures up on the big stage of the Combine.