Garrett Podell of CBS Sports has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at 21st overall in his latest mock draft. Terrell led all corners with five forced fumbles last year.
Terrell is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons All-Pro cornerback A.J. Terrell.
"Terrell has great instincts and quickness. The 2025 All-ACC First Team selection set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and career (eight from 2023-25). His eight career forced fumbles were also the most by a cornerback in college football from 2023-25, which was the span of his career,"Podell wrote. "Terrell has great agility and is light on his feet, which makes him an ideal slot corner. He's naturally a great closer in short zone coverage. He can have issues on the outside against bigger receivers, but he's an adept blitzer and strong in the run game. Terrell could add some much-needed youth to the Steelers' secondary besides Joey Porter Jr. "
ESPN's Matt Miller also had the Steelers picking Terrell in the first roun d in his latest mock draft.
"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," Miller wrote . "The younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon Terrell is 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."
The Steelers started last season with veteran Darius Slay as a starter, but he flamed out and eventually parted ways with the team. James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. both did a solid job in filling in down the stretch. Pierre is set to become a free agent , however.
Terrell, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 180 lbs., was given a 6.43 prospect grade by NFL.com, meaning he "will become a good starter within two years." He was named a third-team Associated Press All-American as a junior, totaling 46 tackles and 11 pass breakups.
Brendan Howe contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Land Aggressive Clemson Cornerback in Latest Mock Draft
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