Could This Steelers Late Round Pick Be The Steal Of The 2023 Draft?
Updated: Jun 10
With rookie mini-camp underway, The Steelers will finally get a chance to see their excellent draft class on the field in some capacity. Although it’s without pads, this is still a good opportunity for guys to get to know each other and allows the coaches to unbox their new shiny toys and play with them.
Rookie mini-camp is one of the first gusts of wind that carry the beautiful scent of the new football season to us—an exciting time for the Steelers and all fans.
One Mans Trash Is Another Mans Treasure
A guy who seemed to be a consensus top-ten cornerback in the pre-draft process ended up falling all the way to the seventh round, where Omar Khan couldn’t resist and made him a Steeler. Many scouts had Cory Trice pegged as a fourth or fifth-round pick and couldn’t believe when Pittsburgh called his name at the 241st pick.
NFL.com gave Trice a prospect grade of 6.14, which according to them, means he will be a good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.
“That guy is going to be a monster in press.” -Anonymous AFC Scout via nfl.com
Trice comes from Purdue where he picked up an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten nod in 2022, a year that saw him finish second in the Big Ten in interceptions with three and eighth in passes defended with ten. In his career at Purdue, Trice also had two pick-sixes, and five total interceptions to go with 106 total tackles in his 30 games as a Boilermaker.
Best Friends Already?
Many Steelers fans have noted the similarities between Trice and 32nd overall pick Joey Porter Jr. and they aren’t the most outrageous claims. Trice comes in at 6’3 and 206 pounds with his arm measurement coming in at 32 ⅜ inches. Porter Jr stands at 6’2 and 193 pounds with 34-inch arms.
They both have similar profiles as big, long, physical press corners which also happen to be great athletes. Both cornerbacks possess the size and strength to alter route timing early. Many reporters at practice even noticed that it seemed like Trice and Porter Jr were basically glued together at the hip on the first two days of camp.
“We just keep chopping it up off the field and keep trying to make each other be better.” -Trice on his relationship with Joey Porter Jr via Steelers.com
From Kentucky to Pittsburgh
The kid from Hopkinsville, Kentucky was a three-star recruit out of high school. When he got to Purdue he was a safety and then transitioned to cornerback. He’s always had that chip on his shoulder, something perfect for the Steelers. A gritty guy who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to make a play. A big physical player, a staple of the Steeler’s defenses forever.
“All my life I always had to prove myself, so it was just another one of those things I gotta prove myself again and I don’t mind doing it.” -Trice via Steelers.com
Trice was a stud in high school at Christian County High School where he was named the Southern Pennyrile Football Athlete of the Year and was named the Class 5A-District 1 Player of the Year. He was also named to the First Team All-Western Kentucky Conference and got selected for the Best of the Bluegrass All-Star Game before committing to Purdue.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers signed Trice to a four-year deal along with the other rookies. With a significant need at slot corner, maybe Trice can break the mold to see time on this stout defense. This offseason has seen a major shuffle in the Steeler’s cornerback room after losing Cam Sutton. Along with double dipping in the draft with Porter Jr and Trice, Pittsburgh acquired Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan, two former Vikings.
If you like fantasy football, check out Trophy Smack for your next league prize!
If you enjoyed this article, give the SR Orginal shows on our Youtube channel a try, and subscribe! Make sure to give our socials (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok) a follow all of which have great content as well!
#Football #Steelers #NFL #PittsburghSteelers #NFLOffseason #Pittsburgh #featuredwriters