Devon Witherspoon Trending Toward Steelers in NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers could find themselves with a physical corner at pick 17.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't hidden their interest in a cornerback with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and while Joey Porter Jr. was the name to watch heading into the NFL Combine, a new name has appeared since. 

Illinois cornerback Devin Witherspoon seems to be slipping into that third cornerback slot after a hamstring injury left him unable to run at the NFL Combine and his Pro Day. Without a pre-draft workout for coaches and scouts to see, Witherspoon has moved down behind Porter Jr. and into the 17th spot for the Steelers. 

It started with Witherspoon landing at pick 14 for the New England Patriots in Derrick Bell's first-round mock draft. The Steelers landed Porter Jr. in that mock. 

But Bell made it known that not running at his Pro Day would hurt Witherspoon, and now that he didn't run, it appears he's fallen.

USA Today's latest mock draft, Witherspoon does slide to Pittsburgh, and because of the injury, the physical corner ends up a Steeler. 

"A cornerback who loves to tackle and demonstrated lockdown potential last season should be at home on the Steelers' defense," USA Today writes. "Witherspoon might have lost some ground in the contest to be the first cornerback off the board as he recovers from a hamstring injury that kept him out of combine workouts, but his performance from 2022 speaks for itself."

The hamstring injury isn't going to do Witherspoon any favors, but for the Steelers, it could give them an even better option with their first pick. Witherspoon was argued to be the top corner in the draft class coming into the offseason, and a slide because of a hamstring doesn't scream detrimental injury if you ask around. 

Top 30 visits will help his case, but one with the Steelers could also solidify that they want the Illinois product over anyone else in the first round. 

Right now, for those who were pounding the table for Witherspoon at pick 17, things seem to be headed in your direction. 

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