Steelers boost corner group with Justin Layne selection
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected cornerback Justin Layne out of Michigan State in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 83rd overall.
Pittsburgh needed to find a long-term option at cornerback. The likes of Cameron Sutton and Artie Burns haven't panned out, forcing the Steelers to sign Steven Nelson in free agency.
Joe Haden has the other starting job locked down (but is only contracted through the 2019 season), and Mike Hilton will likely man the slot in 2019, so Pittsburgh should be able to ease Layne into the lineup.
Prospect profile
School: Michigan State
Height: 6-2
Weight: 192 lbs
Strengths
- Tall with extremely long arms
- Physical at the line of scrimmage and during routes
- Understands routes and has the ball skills to record interceptions and pass breakups
- Athletic and can change direction well for a player his size
- Effective punch in press coverage
- Sure tackler and a good run defender
Weaknesses
- Began his college career as a wide receiver - still learning the defensive side of the ball
- Stiff hips and not very fluid in space
- Speedy offensive weapons have challenged him downfield
- In a tough spot when he loses in press and has to turnaround to trail receivers
Bottom line
Layne is fairly new to the cornerback position, but he has a number of tools and traits that NFL teams target. The former Spartan flashed promise as a zone defender but is probably best suited for a man-coverage scheme, where his length and press abilities can thrive. Layne is raw and comes with a fair amount of risk, but his ceiling is as high as a number of his fellow 2019 draftees.