Peter Schrager, a senior national writer for FoxSports.com, released a mock draft a few days ago ahead of the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine and he has the Pittsburgh Steelers addressing their secondary in the first round with the 25th overall selection.
Schrager has the Steelers drafting Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller and he writes of the selection:
Fuller comes from a long line of Fullers who have succeeded in the NFL. He’s 6-0, 190 pounds and was a stud at Virginia Tech before an injury cut his 2015 season short. Good pedigree. Strong player. A need for Pittsburgh.
We have already seen a few mocks that have Fuller going to the Steelers in the first round but on Tuesday, NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock let it be known in a conference call where he ultimately sees the Virginia Tech product being drafted in a few more months.
“Kendall Fuller from Virginia Tech I think is more of a second- or third-round player,” Mayock said.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. pretty much agrees with Mayock as he said Monday during his conference call with media that he has Fuller as a late-first, early-second round pick.
“The injury I think will affect him, because he didn’t play,” Kiper said of Fuller’s draft stock. “And when he did play, obviously he was hurt in the beginning of the year and he struggled against Ohio State because he was hurting.”
Fuller only played in three games in 2015 due to a knee injury and it will be interesting to see if he’s recovered enough from his knee surgery to participate in the combine this week.
The 6-0, 196-pound cornerback recorded 54 total tackles in 2014 to go along with 2 interceptions and 14 passes defensed.
