Photo: USATSI
ESPN’s Matt Miller may have completed one of the earlier mock drafts for the NFL’s 32 teams’s first rounds that I considered – it grabbed my attention because it bucked a trend that has developed: the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting a quarterback with Pick 21 in the 1st Round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Instead, Miller made his case for the Steelers going after a counterpart to cornerback Joey Porter, Jr. His pick: Avieon Terrell out of Clemson.
Miller said,
“Yes, quarterback will absolutely be a discussion point here, but Pittsburgh has to learn from the Kenny Pickett selection in 2022 and not force a pick based on need.”
A lot of NFL fans would argue that the NFL Draft is all about making picks based on need. In fact, most mock drafts focus on team needs. So, his statement could be interpreted in different ways; was he making more of a point about Pickett or feeling forced into selections simply due to feeling pressure to fill a need?
Of Terrell, Miller wrote,
“The Steelers have one emerging star cornerback in Joey Porter Jr. but need to upgrade from free agents James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. at the opposite spot.”
When we graded the Steelers defensive backs personnel group for the 2025 season, Pierre scored a career best grade while Samuel – who did not sign with the team until November – was ranked lower, but wasn’t given a ton of time on the field. Yes, both are free agents. But, if one or both were to be signed, would that raise cornerback as a position the Steelers would use their 1st Round selection on?
Terrell has a bit of a pedigree; he’s the younger brother of NFL cornerback A.J. Terrell. Miller described the younger of the brothers as, “a savvy cover man with fantastic short-area quickness and fast eyes. He’s an ultra-athletic, fluid mover with the hips, quickness and press-man prowess to be a solid starter immediately, especially in a defense that can pressure the quarterback and create flip-the-field opportunities for defensive backs.”
At 5’11’’ and 180 pounds, Terrell isn’t exceptionally long but his quickness is evident on film. His NFL Draft Prospect grade is a 6.43 per Next Gen Stats which states he would “become a good starter within two years.”
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein offered his assessment of Terrell as follows:
Terrell’s Clemson bio hints at a nice upside: He was a 2025 All-American and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist credited with 128 tackles (9.0 for loss), 30 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 4.0 sacks, 8 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries in 1,834 career defensive snaps over 39 games (31 starts) from 2023-25. A two-time All-ACC selection, he set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and a career (eight from 2023-25).
From NFL Draft Daily: #Clemson CB Avieon Terrell is my type of corner. Plays with intensity, quick feet, good technique, and has inside-out flexibility.
Potential to be a starter early in his career. pic.twitter.com/RNuC2bmDok
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 13, 2026
The Steelers’ defensive backfield – overall – received a final season grade from us here at Steel City Underground of “B-“ due to several opponents finding ways to exploit their rotation until things finally settled down. Turnovers were what gave that group a boost.
So, can the Steelers afford to use their 1st Round pick on a cornerback they need to develop? We’ll have to continue to track the prospects – and how mock drafts play out – before determining where Pittsburgh places its focus over the next 60+ days.
