As Dave Bryan wrote earlier today, Senquez Golson started on the outside in yesterday’s first OTA practice. It is easy to look at his slight frame and question if he can compete against the bigger receivers he’ll see but Golson has used the offseason to help combat that.
Golson has added roughly ten pounds during the offseason, tipping the scales at around 186 pounds, according to Chris Adamski. He weighed in at the 2015 Combine at 176.
As Adamski tweeted out, Golson’s training regime has changed entering his second year. In college, Golson played on the outside. But looking at the cornerback depth chart following the 2015 draft, it seemed he was destined to move inside. It appeared why the Steelers traded for Brandon Boykin after losing their second round pick for the season, leaving only William Gay as capable of playing inside.
If yesterday was any indication, Golson will get at least some work outside. That could mean that in nickel packages, Gay will slide to the slot with Ross Cockrell/Artie Burns fighting for snaps opposite Golson. It also makes the backup slot corner a little unclear, but there’s plenty of time to sort those things out.
Pittsburgh has never been shy about playing short corners, even on the outside. Antwon Blake was only half an inch taller than Golson and worked strictly as a left outside corner. But like Blake, Golson will have to play with excellent technique to compete against the likes of A.J. Green (6’3/5 211), Kamar Aiken (6’1/1 213), Brandon LaFell (6’2/4 211), and Breshad Perriman (6’2 212).
