The Pittsburgh Steelers are a good football team but that doesn't mean there isn't any room for improvement. The team's secondary is in desperate need of some upgrades, especially with cornerback Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu retiring. Last year, the Steelers ranked 30th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), according to Football Outsiders.
That is why the Steelers have been linked to cornerbacks Kevin Johnson, Byron Jones and Ronald Darby in the NFL Draft in recent weeks. The only problem is that the Steelers haven't drafted a defensive back in the first two rounds since 2006. If they do choose to break that trend this year, here's another interested name to add to the mix: Landon Collins.
"Troy Polamalu has retired," Kevin Weidl of Scouts Inc. wrote. "Shamarko Thomas, a 2013 fourth-round pick, has yet to prove he can be relied upon as a viable starter. Collins has strong technique and instincts and brings a physical element to his game, including the ability to generate pressure within blitz packages."
Collins is considered the top safety prospect in the draft and works well in the box. However, if the Steelers are interested in grabbing him they may have to compete with the Philadelphia Eagles who pick two spots ahead of them at No. 20. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects Philly to select Collins in his Mock Draft 4.0.
"Collins is a safety who does his best work when he's near the line of scrimmage," Kiper wrote. "He has great instincts and tackling ability as an extra defender against the run, and he's the kind of player who ca fit seamlessly into this scheme and should be on the field right away. I do think the Eagles will be looking to add another pass-catching threat, but the draft offers plenty of depth in that area, just as it did last year when they added an instant impact receiver in Round 2."
