2021 NFL Mock Draft: Two teams trade up for QBs in 2021 NFL Mock Draft
2021 NFL Draft: 24th overall
Scouting Report. Georgia. Eric Stokes. Pick Analysis. CB. 24. player. 55
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ dream season ended with a crashing thud. After starting 11-0, Pittsburgh lost five of its last six games, culminating in a 48-37 loss to the rival Cleveland Browns in the playoffs, where Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions.
There’s a small chance that Roethlisberger retires, meaning quarterback rises up the ranks of need for the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he looks on track to return. Their other needs in the 2021 NFL Draft include running back, offensive line, and corner.
While boosting the run game and beefing up the protection make sense, here, the Steelers look to upgrade the secondary.
Eric Stokes from Georgia is the pick here at 24. Taking a corner in the first round may give Steelers fans a flashback to Artie Burns, but Stokes isn’t the same type of player.
Stokes fits right in with the toughness that is the Pittsburgh defense, as he’s feisty at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. He’s super comfortable in zone coverage, which Pittsburgh likes to deploy.
Stokes struggles a bit with transitional quickness, but the fit will help mask that weakness. In a division with plenty of tough receivers, Stokes will be a welcome addition to the defense.