Steelers select Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State #83rd overall

[BlackAndGold]

discuss

[hawaiiansteeler]

the Steelers were very high on him

[teegre]

the Steelers were very high on him

Michigan St player... high... :lol:

[steelreserve]

I did not know much about this guy, but everything I read says "above average ... above average ... above average" across the board.

I have no idea how true that is, but I like the idea of taking a guy who may be just a solid player with few weaknesses and a natural instinct for the game, instead of the boom-or-bust types who have glaring weaknesses that they need to fix but never do. When we swing for the fences, we are more like Dave Kingman than Babe Ruth.

[BlackAndGold]

Measurable's. Very good athlete.

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/justin-layne

[st33lersguy]

I like it, good pick. Good value, probably a better player than (insert name of Toledo WR taken at pick 66 here)

[Shoes]

Beats Artie Burns.

[teegre]

Layne is a man-coverage CB. Could we (finally) be seeing a switch from zone???

[hawaiiansteeler]

Layne is a man-coverage CB. Could we (finally) be seeing a switch from zone???

can Layne learn to play 10 yards off the ball and tackle the catch though?

[stillers4me]

1121970041577181184

[polamalubeast]

1121965499221532672

[BlackAndGold]

Layne was a converted wide receiver. Only played two years at corner.

A lot of upside to mold. Can' be a big boom if they can develop him.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Bustin Layne

[teegre]

Bustin Layne

Bustin LayMe

[hawaiiansteeler]

83. Steelers: Justin Layne, CB Michigan State

Analysis: After watching him on film, I’m a bit surprised Justin Layne lasted this long. The Steelers won’t complain. Layne is at his best in zone defense, but he has the length and athleticism to develop into a man corner.

GRADE: A-

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/2019-nfl-draft-grades-day-2

[SteelMember]

1121970041577181184

Hahaha... classic!

[hawaiiansteeler]

2019 NFL Draft Sleepers

#6 Justin Layne (CB – Michigan State)

Most industry draft analysts have the top three cornerbacks as Greedy Williams, Byron Murphy and DeAndre Baker. They are all in different spots on every list but almost always represent the top tier. In my opinion, Layne belongs in that group. I’ve still got Murphy and Williams ahead of them, but not by a full round. Layne is a former wide receiver who is still learning the position but was extraordinary for the Spartans thanks to a rare combination of elite length and speed. In fact, the only corners to match that combo are all Pro Bowlers: Jalen Ramsey, Xavier Rhodes and Antonio Cromartie. I don’t need to tell you that he is in tremendous company. Don’t expect him to hit the ground running in the NFL so a corner-hungry team in contention like the Chiefs or Colts doesn’t make a ton of sense but he could sneak into the early second to a team like the Giants or Redskins. I’ve got him landing with Minnesota at pick #50.

https://www.fantasypros.com/2019/04/2019-nfl-draft-sleepers/

[Six Rings]

I like this pick as it matches value at the end of round three, but I'm not so sure he wouldn't be better off at free safety.

15 passes defense in the Big Ten as a DB is impressive. Not much of an interception guy, at least in college, his college stats are below:

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/justin-layne-1.html

[stillers4me]

1121965647599157249

[Born2Steel]

This is another guy we all knew the Steelers had in the cross hairs. I love it when a draft plan comes together. Last year's draft class had a feel like 'what is the plan here?'. This draft has made total sense and been logical in the first 2 days. Got inside defensive help, a productive "X WR", and now an outside CB that fills a 3rd need.

[teegre]

This is another guy we all knew the Steelers had in the cross hairs. I love it when a draft plan comes together. Last year's draft class had a feel like 'what is the plan here?'. This draft has made total sense and been logical in the first 2 days. Got inside defensive help, a productive "X WR", and now an outside CB that fills a 3rd need.

Colbert:
“We need an ILB, WR, and CB...”

Free agency:
We sign an ILB, WR, and CB...

Draft:
We draft an ILB, WR, and CB...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Converted WR, 2nd team all big 10. Long frame and arms and decent 4.5 speed.

Comparison on NFL.com was to William Jackson III and they had a 2nd round grade on him. Has a year to develop behind Joe Haden and Steve Nelson, so lets hope Teryl Austin does some great teaching.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State A+ Grade

Wow, I forgot Justin Layne was still available. Layne got some late first-round buzz at some point, but was expected to be chosen in the second frame. Layne is an excellent cornerback with terrific ball skills. He's an absolute steal for the Steelers, who needed someone like Layne to upgrade their poor secondary.

http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades3.php

[tube517]

1122004578873020416

[steelreserve]

Colbert:
“We need an ILB, WR, and CB...”

Free agency:
We sign an ILB, WR, and CB...

Draft:
We draft an ILB, WR, and CB...

Well it sure beats "We need a CB and DT."

*Ike Taylor gets another year older*

*re-signs Steve McLendon again*

*repeat for next 5 offseasons*

[hawaiiansteeler]

Justin Layne, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Drafted No. 83 overall

Layne addresses a big need for the Steelers' defense and is a great strategic fit with the team's first-round pick, linebacker Devin Bush.

The former Michigan State corner had the lowest yards per target allowed in coverage in FBS since 2017 (4.5 yards per target allowed) and allowed just four deep receptions on 14 deep targets over the past two seasons, per PFF.

Michigan State boasted the best run defense in college football last season (77.9 rushing yards per game), so it's possible Layne's production was actually undervalued to some degree. When I use computer vision to track him when he's targeted on first down only (to limit the number of snaps in "obvious" passing situations), he ranks among the top five in FBS in completion percentage against.

Layne is an excellent upside pick for a defense that only had eight interceptions last season (28th in the NFL).

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001028528/article/2019-nfl-draft-jawaan-taylor-among-day-2s-top-value-picks?icampaign=trendingNews

[HollywoodSteel]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/platform/amp/2019/4/30/18524286/justin-layne-selected-as-the-steelers-a-pick-of-the-2019-nfl-draft-class-joe-haden-news

[hawaiiansteeler]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qr49QMQQe6TobU_msVtd6pqwULQ=/0x0:3054x2376/920x613/filters:focal(1042x745:1530x1233)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63707127/usa_today_11636021.0.jpg

[Shoes]

Converted WR, 2nd team all big 10. Long frame and arms and decent 4.5 speed.

Comparison on NFL.com was to William Jackson III and they had a 2nd round grade on him. Has a year to develop behind Joe Haden and Steve Nelson, so lets hope Teryl Austin does some great teaching.

Hope so, he sure has the tools.

[Six Rings]

I like the pick. He does need to put on some weight though.