Steelers/NFL
ROUND 4 ANALYSIS Mike Tomlin loves Ohio State players and the Steelers continued that trend, selecting cornerback Doran Grant (5-10, 200) in the fourth round today. Grant had drawn third round grades from some draft publications.
“We had our eye on [Doran] early as a guy we might be able to get around this time,” defensive backs coach Carnell Lake said.
Grant had 63 tackles, 5 interceptions and 9 passes defended in 2014. In his last two years at Ohio State, Grant combined totaled 8 interceptions.
Grant’s strength is regarded as being in run support where he is very active and doesn’t miss many tackles. He has a toughness about him where the Steelers feel he’ll be able to contribute on special teams right off the bat.
“He is a very tough player and is going to help out on special teams because of that,” Lake said.
In coverage is where teams aren’t sold on Grant and why he fell to the third day of the draft.
NFL.com’s Scouting Report: [Can be overpowered by big receivers. Feet and hips can get clunky when asked to open and run out of press. Lacking speed to stick with true vertical threats. Must improve feel and contact with wide receivers on crossers. Allows too much separation when forced to chase across field. Upright, tight backpedal, stalling at the top when transitioning forward.]
“Teams maybe had some doubts about his productivity or ability to cover and stay close to wide receivers,” Lake said when asked why he felt Grant lasted until the fourth round.
Lake, though, feels Grant has the ability to run with receivers at the next level. Grant had strong measurables at the combine, running a 4.44 yard forty and a 4.33 second shuttle drill. At Ohio State’s pro-day, Grant had a 35 1/2 inch vertical.
Grant performed well on big stages last season. He had a two interception game against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game.
