2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Steelers could take in Round 1

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and David DeCastro #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers react after scoring a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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PISCATAWAY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 01: Washington Huskies defensive back Byron Murphy (1) returns an interception during the third quarter of the NCAA Football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Washington Huskies on September 1, 2017, at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Byron Murphy

The ability to force turnovers has never been more important than it is in the NFL today. That’s why Murphy is making a late run up a lot of draft boards. He might be the corner with the best combination of athleticism and ball skills in this class.

He only ran a 4.55 40 at the combine which might worry some teams, but he looks to play significantly faster than that on film. Murphy also has perfect hips that allow him to flip in and out of coverage at will. That’s a big reason he’s able to make such precise breaks on the ball.

Murphy also is the type of football player that Tomlin is going to naturally gravitate towards. He doesn’t do a ton of talking but he eats, sleeps and breathes football. That kind of no-nonsense professional is just what the Steelers are looking for after their recent drama.

There should be a run on corners right around this point in the draft so it will be interesting to see which guys go where. Murphy stands a good shot of still being available at No. 20, but it’s no lock. If he’s still on the board he’ll get strong consideration from the Steelers front office.

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