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Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Recap: Grades and Analysis

By Matt DiLascio

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round 3, Pick 94: Cam Sutton – Cornerback, Tennessee

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (7) celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

The 5’11” 188 lbs cornerback from Tennessee was viewed as a contender for the Jim Thorpe award (given annually to the best defensive back in college football) and potential first-round pick before being set back by a fractured ankle early in the Volunteers 2016 season.

The selection of Cam Sutton makes a lot of sense on paper. Sutton is a playmaking cornerback who excels in man coverage and the Steelers plan to play more man coverage in 2017, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. In addition, he’s regarded as a high character guy and was named a team captain his senior year. Sutton will need to get stronger and more consistent in run support to challenge for playing time early on in his career.

Special contributions

Sutton has a more direct path to the field in his rookie season as a returner on special teams. The dynamic Volunteer averaged 14.3 yards per punt return in his college career, including three that were returned for touchdowns. Antonio Brown has been a superb punt returner, but the Steelers haven’t had a reliable playmaker at kick returner since the days of Stefan Logan. Sutton will compete with Knile Davis and others for the opportunity to change that.

Check out some of his career highlights here:

Full draft profile here.

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