Steelers Could Draft Versatile Ball Hawk In The Late Rounds Of 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is now under three weeks away and the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add talent to both sides of the ball. With Pittsburgh being very active in free agency, their team needs keep dwindling. Let's look at a prospect who can play three different positions and possibly could be had with a fourth-round pick. Could the Steelers draft one of Calvin Austin III's college teammates and good friends to add to the defense?

Pittsburgh's safety room will look a little different in 2023. Terrell Edmunds will not be in black and gold this year after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Steelers re-signed Damontae Kazee on a two-year deal after a good 2022 season. He looks to be the starter opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick. After bringing back Kazee, Pittsburgh went out and signed Keanu Neal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also on a two-year deal. Neal looks to be the primary backup behind Fitzpatrick and Kazee, but could the Steelers add another body to compete with those three?

Quindell Johnson

Memphis safety Quindell Johnson is an intriguing name to watch on draft night for Pittsburgh. Johnson is one of the most athletic players in the whole draft and had an impressive four years at Memphis. Although he's listed as a safety, he played all over the field in college, excelling at everything he was asked to do. Johnson played 49 career games and racked up 320 tackles, 10 interceptions, 25 pass breakups and four forced fumbles with three recoveries. 

Johnson is extremely smooth on the field. His coverage is his best attribute, excelling in both man and zone. He predicts opposing receivers' routes and breaks on the ball at a high level. On top of the coverage skills, Johnson stands out in the tackling department. He rarely misses tackles and isn't afraid to use his big frame to take down ball carriers.

Johnson's versatility is what makes him such an intriguing option for NFL teams. Johnson played 1,106 snaps at safety, 850 at linebacker and 828 at nickel corner. Getting a player that can play all three of those positions could be extremely valuable, especially if a team like Pittsburgh needs starting/depth pieces at all three.

Johnson received multiple honors for his time playing at Memphis, such as the 2022 First-Team All-AAC. On top of the honors, Johnson took pride in his off-the-field achievements. He made AAC All-Academic Team in 2021, 2020 and 2019, as well as Dean's List with a perfect 4.0 GPA in 2019. 

Steelers And Draft Outlook

Johnson hasn't received much buzz around the league with the draft getting underway on April 27. It's always hard to predict which round every prospect will be taken in but Johnson looks to be a third or fourth-round pick. With the Steelers currently holding picks 80 (round 3) and 120 (round 4), we could expect Johnson selected there if Pittsburgh chooses to draft him. Pittsburgh's next pick doesn't come until the seventh round, where Johnson would most likely be gone by. 

Mike Tomlin would love to have a guy like Johnson on his team. After playing three key positions in college, you could expect to see that trend continue into the NFL. Depending on who else the Steelers add to the defense, Johnson could find himself playing a good amount of nickel cornerback if drafted by the Steelers. While he wouldn't be rushed into starting, sitting behind the safeties and linebackers of the Steelers could be beneficial for his development. Johnson could be a sneaky good pick for the Steelers in the later rounds.

Would you like the Steelers to draft Quindell Johnson? Let us know in the comments below.

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