A couple of weeks ago, the cornerback position was certainly within the realm of possibility for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the draft. But after re-signing Asante Samuel Jr. and bringing in Jamel Dean via free agency, it’s far less of a need. Yet, it’s still a position to which Pittsburgh would probably like to add some depth. And to Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, Treydan Stukes is a player who can do just that.
In a two-round mock draft with Sikkema and Connor Rogers making alternate picks, Sikkema sent Stukes to Pittsburgh at 53rd overall in the second round.
“They do need slot corner pretty bad. You know who’s an underrated idea here, is Treydan Stukes,” Sikkema said earlier this week on his NFL Stock Exchange podcast. “Stukes plays the slot, and he might give you some of that strong safety flexibility with Jalen [Ramsey]. I’ll go Stukes here, to play the slot for the Steelers.”
In Dean and Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers have a solid cornerback duo. Two outside cornerbacks who can play press coverage, alter timing at the line of scrimmage, and give a strong effort against the run. What’s less solidified, though, is nickel corner. And that is a role Stukes can step into.
He has good instincts and has terrific ball skills to take advantage of one-on-one matchups against slot receivers. Treydan Stukes is also excellent in zone coverage where he reads route combinations well and understands how to track the quarterback’s eyes. He plays strong against the run, is able to take on and shed blocks, and he looks comfortable coming downhill to make tackles. Those traits make him suited for nickel cornerback, where he can affect the game closer to the line of scrimmage.
However, there are some weaknesses that might make him better in a safety role, which is another position he can play. Stukes has some work to do in man coverage and gives up leverage inside too easily. He also could stand to clean up his angles in the run game and isn’t especially quick in short areas. Some of those traits might make a move to safety look a little more appealing. There, he won’t be in man coverage as much and can come downhill more against the run.
The good news is the Steelers could use depth in both spots. Sikkema mentions Jalen Ramsey, who can play both nickel and safety. The Steelers also have Brandin Echols and Donte Kent, both capable of playing the nickel. At safety they added Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage in free agency last week. There is some depth, but not enough that the Steelers are done at those positions yet.
You could argue both nickel corner and safety should be targeted early in the draft. Yet, neither are quite pressing enough of needs to be first-round locks. Thus, someone like Treydan Stukes could make sense in the second round.
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