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A storyline which has been gathering steam the past few weeks is the possibility of LSU running back Derrius Guice falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 28 in the 2018 NFL Draft. The reason I bring this up is most are accepting the notion assuming this is a pick for the future.
One more year with Le’Veon Bell, then Guice and James Conner can take over.
However, when you talk about potentially doing the same thing with the cornerback position, many shudder and suggest the team should focus on inside linebacker or safety. Nonetheless, if you think about it, the situation is the same.
One more year with Joe Haden, then it would be time to let the first round draft pick loose.
Who is that pick? According to Peter King’s latest mock draft, none other than Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander.
See what King had to say about the selection:
28. PITTSBURGH—JAIRE ALEXANDER, CB, LOUISVILLE
Oh, how wonderful it would have been if the draft fell just right to the Steelers and they could take an all-field playmaker to replace the fallen Ryan Shazier. That playmaker, Leighton Vander Esch, could be available at 28 … but he’s got a cervical issue that is causing some to steer clear of him this week. In Alexander, the Steelers could get a 4.38 cover guy who’s shown eagerness to tackle and be a physical player in run support. He’d be a good fit for Mike Tomlin.
The acquisition of Alexander could be a game-changer for the Steelers, and not necessarily in 2019 either. Alexander is a player who Steelers fans would love. He doesn’t shy away from contact, is versatile enough to play both zone and man coverage and has the swagger which will endear him to the loyal black-and-gold fan base.
Guice is a player who is viewed as a future great, and it might be time for fans to feel the same way about the cornerback position, and Alexander.
What do you think about King’s selection? What do you think about taking a cornerback in the first round? Let us know in the comment section below!