2019 NFL Draft: Steelers take Justin Layne with second 3rd round pick

26

Apr 2019

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Michigan State CB with their second 3rd round pick.

Entering the 2019 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a number of draft needs which they needed to address. After the first round selection of Devin Bush, cornerback, wide receiver and even tight end were still positions of need to help the black-and-gold get to the next level in 2019. There have been numerous thoughts and debates regarding what the team will do on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

When the dust settled, the Steelers have selected CB Justin Layne from Michigan State, with their second pick in the third round of the draft.

For those who may not know much about Justin Layne as a player, this is his overall breakdown of his game, per his NFL Draft Profile:

Layne was an All-Ohio receiver as a senior (46-790-17.2, 11 TDs) at Benedictine High School in Cleveland before signing with Michigan State. He began his career at MSU as a receiver, but the Spartans’ coaches moved him from offense to defense midway through his true freshman season. He wound up starting five of the team’s final seven games that year, posting 18 tackles, 1.5 for loss, an interception (that he returned for a score), and a pass breakup. Layne became a full-time starter in 2017, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by compiling 40 tackles, intercepting one pass and breaking up eight others. He was a second-team all-conference pick as a junior, starting 12 games and making 72 tackles, 2.5 for loss. He also intercepted one pass, and ranked in the top 10 in the FBS with 15 pass breakups. After declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft, Layne decided not to play in the team’s appearance in the Redbox Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft needs in the remaining rounds of the draft now would be considered: Tight end, running back and outside linebacker among other positions.

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