2014 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Host TCU Cornerback Jason Verrett & Other Prospects
By Matt Shetler
When the 2014 NFL Draft rolls around, many expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to look at selecting a cornerback with the No. 15 overall pick.
Who that corner will be is still an unknown, but the team continues to take a look at promising young prospects.
Nov 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Jason Verrett (2) during the game against the Baylor Bears at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The latest of which was TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, who was among several draft prospects who were in town for pre-draft visit on Monday.
Verrett is widely considered a top-five corner in May’s draft, although it is a bit of a stretch for the Steelers to look his way at No. 15 as Verrett is likely to go off the board towards the end of the first round.
However if a guy like Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard, who was in for a visit earlier this month, is off the board by then, it could make sense for the team to trade down and target a guy like Verrett.
Although the Steelers typically don’t target cornerbacks in the first round, this year could be different and Verrett is an intriguing prospect. He recorded 43 passes defended and nine interceptions in three productive years at TCU.
In addition to Verrett, the Steelers also brought in Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton and Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson for pre-draft visits Monday.
The interest in Crichton is a bit odd as he projects to be a 4-3 defensive end and is not likely a fit to be moved to outside linebacker as he lacks coverage skills.
Richardson projects to go on the final day of the draft. He is long, which would give the Steelers a bigger corner, but he’s not typically great in coverage.