Daylen Everette
Daylen Everette
As part of a strong rookie class performance in last Thursday’s 28-9 preseason-opening win over the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daylen Everette displayed his talents, just like he has throughout training camp.
Everette, a third-round pick, played 36 defensive snaps and another nine on special teams. He finished with five tackles and had some good reps in coverage, earning praise from longtime NFL analyst Brian Baldinger.
Pro Football Focus graded Everette at a 52.3 overall on defense, charging him with two receptions allowed on three targets for 23 yards, and a 74.6 on special teams.
Speaking with Steelers.com’s Mike Prisuta Sunday following another padded practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Everette assessed his preseason debut.
“Yeah, I think overall it was good,” Everette said, according to video via the Steelers’ team site. “It was my first game out there, but you always have stuff to work on. So, no one ever has a perfect game or anything like that. So I know there’s things I have to work on to continue to keep getting better.”
It was a solid showing for the Georgia product, a player the Steelers are very high on. With his size, speed and physicality, he projects as a great long-term piece for the Black and Gold opposite Joey Porter Jr., and he’s shown that throughout camp.
Everette has worked primarily as the boundary corner on both the left and the right side throughout training camp, running with the second team. He’s even dabbled in the slot some. He’s had some great battles with the likes of DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. throughout the early portion of training camp, but he’s also had to adjust to the physicality of the game, drawing some flags in the process.
He’s also worked at gunner during training camp on special teams, and those are the roles he held in the preseason opener against the Packers.
“Just taking it a play at a time. We work in practice for those game opportunities, so when my name was called to get on the field and get in on defense and special teams, I just tried to maximize on every opportunity I had,” Everette said of his preseason debut, according to video via the Steelers’ YouTube page.
Safe to say, Everette took advantage of the opportunities. He was solid all night and showed up in key spots with some tight coverage, leading to incompletions late in the first half and in the second half.
He’s a smart football player who fits the mold of what Pittsburgh wants at the position, and he’s developing nicely early in his rookie year. Maybe that role expands even further this season. For one night at least, he’s happy with his play though.