The cornerback position is a huge question mark for the Pittsburgh Steelers as 2023 offseason activities ramp up. The obvious assumption is that the team re-signs Cameron Sutton to a long-term deal, but what happens after that? Could they sign a big name free agent, make a splash trade or go after a young prospect in the NFL Draft?
Taking a deeper dive and look at the situation, there are needs all over the field for the franchise and it is extremely likely that they go after a cornerback at some point during April's draft. Who that guy could possibly end up being is anyone's guess.
Head coach, Mike Tomlin's brother, Eddie Tomlin, played at the University of Maryland in 1989 and that is only a piece of the puzzle that connects Pittsburgh's leader to the university. Whether it be drafting Anthony McFarland Jr. or bringing in Matt Canada (who was Maryland's play-caller in 2018) to be the offensive coordinator, Tomlin has always had a soft spot in that regard.
Back in 2020, the organization drafted Antoine Brookes Jr. a few rounds after McFarland was taken. Derwin Gray and Sean Davis were also players selected from Maryland during Tomlin's tenure. It's not abnormal for teams to target players from consistent championship collegiate programs, but Tomlin's draft selections within the past six years out of Maryland along with Canada's hire are not coincidences.
That brings up the 2023 NFL Draft and it's necessary to circle back to the cornerback position. No one the Steelers have drafted from Maryland recently has turned out to be a stud, but there could be one in this upcoming draft class. Deonte Banks could be in play for Pittsburgh in the second round.
There have been a very select few positions being talked about in regards to the Steelers this offseason. The offensive and defensive lines as well as holes at linebacker and wide receiver have been highlighted, but no area has been honed in on quite as much as cornerback and there are definitely going to be some new faces coming in 2023.
Aside from Tomlin's ties to Maryland, Banks is more than just a familiarity match for Pittsburgh. He is a great tackler, which is definitely needed on the defense, but also has a wealth of experience, playing almost 1,500 career snaps for the Terrapins. Tomlin can't really afford to mold a cornerback into a star over the player's first couple of years. He needs someone who is going to come in and contribute immediately.
Banks ran a blazing 4.36 40-yard ash on Friday which may factor in to him slipping up on teams' draft boards. At this point, it's looking like it would be a dream if he fell to Pittsburgh at #32.
None of the other Terrapins that have been drafted by Tomlin and the Steelers over the course of the last few years have necessarily panned out, but Banks has the potential to be a huge addition to not just the secondary, but the defense as a whole. Fans should hope he drops into the second round.
Would you like to see Tomlin go back to his Maryland roots once again and draft Banks?
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