Late Mocks Link Steelers to Tennessee CB Colton Hood at No. 20

Overview

• Multiple late-December mock drafts, including College Football HQ and a Sports Illustrated projection reported by Heavy, slot Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood to the Steelers with the No. 20 pick.
• The Steelers are currently positioned at No. 20 entering the final week of the regular season, a range that complicates chances at top quarterbacks and keeps wide receiver in play.
• Sports Illustrated’s Nick Merriam projects a run on cornerbacks before pick No. 20, framing Hood as one of the better remaining options to pair with Joey Porter Jr.
• Scouting views describe Hood as a late bloomer with real speed, coverage skills and ball production, but with tackling and penalty concerns after a winding path through Auburn and Colorado before breaking out at Tennessee.
• Counterarguments from Yahoo’s coverage question cornerback as a top priority given existing personnel and point to wide receiver, safety and the defensive line, with a new seven-round Yahoo mock instead taking WR Denzel Boston at No. 20.