Severe Injury In College Could Help Steelers Land 2026 NFL Draft's Best Cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with decisions to make internally about positional holes on their roster. Steelers fans await the team's first-round pick, as it could set the tone for how the Steelers decide to attack roster construction moving forward. The team has been linked to wide receivers, offensive linemen, and defensive backs to this point. No matter what the team decides to do, some players are awaiting important extensions that will further dictate how the Steelers decide to build their team. Stars like Joey Porter Jr. and Nick Herbig will be looking to get paid.

If the Steelers decide to not extend some younger individuals, it could be easy to guess who the team will target with its early-round draft picks. Steelers reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Christopher Carter, gave his insight on a potentially surprising early draft pick for the Steelers.

"One guy I'm interested in towards the top is Jermod McCoy. I really like his tape from 2024, but he missed all of 2025, and that is always a red flag," Carter wrote. "But if he runs well, shows the great change of direction, he could challenge LSU's Mansoor Delane as this year's top cornerback."

This draft pick would be a huge shock for fans, as many don't have the Steelers selecting a cornerback so high in the draft. The cornerback position could be a place that the Steelers attack during the draft, as many of their starters at the position are free agents. These names include Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre. Jermod McCoy is highly regarded as a top pick skill-wise; however, an ACL tear prevented him from playing in 2025. 

McCoy could be a risk that the Steelers would take for the future of their secondary. McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season, where he logged 44 total tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass deflections for the Tennessee Volunteers. 

The cornerback is known for his elite ball skills that result in turnovers. The Steelers have a defense that is consistently among the league leaders in turnovers. Additionally, McCoy's press coverage ability has been known to give receivers fits. These strengths are similar to those that Porter is known for, and the fourth-year corner is looking to earn a contract extension in the near future.

Steelers Drafting A Cornerback In Round 1 Would Certainly Affect Defense's Future

The Steelers have a Porter problem, whether they like it or not. The Steelers have been reluctant to sign long-term contracts for corners, historically. The team has been known to sign veteran players at the position and get what they can out of them; rinse and repeat. 

The Steelers have a rare opportunity to sign a homegrown talent to a big contract. Porter is coming off his best season yet and is looking to earn a payday. If the Steelers want a consistent star in their secondary, they would be wise to keep the former second-round pick. 

If the Steelers were to draft McCoy or any cornerback in the first or second rounds, what does that mean for Porter? The Steelers would do everything they could to keep him, even if they went corner, but taking a defensive back this high and developing him could give the team an insurance policy should Porter go elsewhere. Should Porter leave, the team would rely on any potential draft pick and whoever else is potentially signed in free agency. 

The Steelers' other starting corner still under contract for 2026 is Brandin Echols. The Steelers desperately need to add depth to their secondary. That could be through re-signing their free agents or by drafting a top guy like McCoy. 

Porter needs some help, and a splash first-round draft pick could be the answer. McCoy could be overlooked as he is coming off an injury, so the Steelers could take a chance on a budding star who would give them a ton of versatility in the secondary. 

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