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NFL Draft: 5 players Steelers should draft in first round

By Rucker Haringey

Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on the sideline during the game against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on the sideline during the game against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Deonte Banks would learn behind Patrick Peterson with the Steelers. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Deonte Banks would learn behind Patrick Peterson with the Steelers. (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) /

Players the Steelers take in the first round of the NFL Draft

4. CB Deonte Banks

Banks is shooting up draft boards around the NFL after his performance at the combine. He was rated as the top athletic tester for the cornerback position group by NFL.com. He’s got excellent size for the position and blistering speed.

The downside to Banks as a prospect is that his collegiate tape at Maryland shows him to be a player that doesn’t have great composure when the ball is in the air. The Steelers’ defensive coaching staff will need to help him improve his technique if he’s going to grow into a quality starter.

That doesn’t change the reality that Banks has the upside required to be a No. 1 corner if things break right for him. He may not be ready to play that level of football right away, but learning behind Peterson could be a blessing in disguise for a prospect that needs refinement.

Banks isn’t going to walk right in and play like a Pro Bowler but he’d give the Steelers a diamond-level talent to refine with the No. 17 overall pick. He’d give Pittsburgh’s secondary a much-needed talent boost as a rookie.

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