2019 NFL Draft Grades: Grading the Steelers second 3rd round pick of CB Justin Layne

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With their second selection of the third round the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Michigan State CB Justin Layne.

The Steelers selected Michigan State CB Justin Layne with the 83rd pick of the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday night, and suddenly everything seems to make sense again in Steelers Nation.

About an hour earlier the Steelers shocked the nation with their initial third round selection, Steelers Nation that is. Hearts that bleed Black and Gold almost needed resuscitation, hopes were dashed, and minds were blown. At least mine was. But now it somehow feels the Steelers are moving in the right direction, and all it took was the Steelers drafting the cornerback that was being projected to them in a majority of mock drafts.

I am going to let you in on a little secret that almost every Steelers fan already knows. The Pittsburgh Steelers like to draft prospects from Michigan State University. They seem to have a mutually beneficial relationship with the Michigan State coaching staff and players from there seem to be excellent fits for the Steelers scheme wise. Hopefully Justin Layne will be no different.

Justin Layne is 6’2″ and 194 lbs with excellent athleticism and instincts. Layne was a high school receiver who converted to CB at Michigan State and displays serious ball skills and route recognition. Still learning the position, Layne needs to fine tune his technique and work on his intensity. He needs to keep his motor revved up and avoid letting it idle on the field. That’s where a defensive leader like Devin Bush earns his money. Layne lacks elite speed but his overall athleticism allows him to win most match ups. Layne has starter potential according to the majority of draft profiles.

Layne was projected to be a late second to early third round selection by most publications, so for the Steelers to be able to select him with the 83rd pick of the draft represents great overall value. I would have been content if the Steelers had selected him with their initial third round pick, so to be able to get him that much later in the round was the icing on the cake.

Therefore I am pleased to give the Justin Layne selection a grade of A.

What grade do you feel is warranted for this selection? Please vote in the attached poll and explain why in the comments section below.

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Layne! From all of us at Steelers Nation!