2014 NFL Draft: Grading each and every Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks

Round 5, Pick 157: Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona

Nov 23, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats cornerback Shaquille Richardson (5) in between plays during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Arizona Stadium. Arizona beat Oregon 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers passed on Darqueze Dennard in the first round and other talented corners throughout the first three days and had to settle for Richardson.

That’s the best way to sum this pick up is they settled for him.

I’m not a fan of his as although he has made some nice plays on film, his film also suggests he has major holes.

Richardson is 6’0”, 194 pounds and is quick and agile and is aggressive jumping routes.

He had an outstanding pro day workout, posting a 4.43-second 40, 38.5-inch vertical jump and 6.95-second three-cone drill time, indicating good speed, agility and explosion.

The good news is that he has length, speed and some ball skills.

The bad news is that he is lean, viewed as a poor tackler with poor fundamentals, lacks strength and often is said to give a lackluster effort.

In addition to being very lean, Richardson is often late to read plays or support the run and was benched in 2012 for too many lapses in coverage.

Richardson made 37 collegiate starts where he had 189 career tackles to go along with 10 interceptions.

He also comes with some baggage.

Richardson was dismissed from the UCLA team in 2010 after being arrested for allegedly stealing a purse. Those charges were eventually dropped. He was also ejected and subsequently suspended in 2011 for a fight against UCLA.

I wasn’t thrilled with this pick as even in the thin Steelers’ secondary, Richardson should have a hard time even making the team.

Grade: D