National Football League

Is the height of Steelers second round CB cause for concern?

Published Jun. 25, 2015 3:11 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Tony Defeo

There are mixed feelings by many Steelers fans and experts regarding Senquez Golson, the second round pick out of Ole Miss in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The main reason for the concern has to do with Golson’s size, mainly his height. You see, Golson is a cornerback, a position that’s been deemed one of importance in Pittsburgh in recent years, since it’s largely been ignored in the first or second round of the annual draft.

So the Steelers finally decided to address the position high enough in the draft that one would assume they’re looking to this player to be a starter sooner rather than later, and the guy is 5-foot-9. Sure his college resume is quite impressive—Golson was named a unanimous All-American in 2014 after recording 10 interceptions—but this doesn’t mean his height should be overlooked (no pun intended).

It is very true that there are a number of NFL corners who are strapped with Golson’s same height obstacle and have ascended to the top of their position. But they are the exceptions and not the rule. Just like it’s the exception for a 6-foot-1 left tackle, a quarterback with a weak arm or a receiver with 4.6 speed to succeed.

Ideal size, speed and strength obstacles can and have been overcome at various positions, but it sure can be a slippery slope to rely on such things.

The Steelers themselves have a history of preferring bigger corners—Mel Blount (6’3″), Rod Woodson (6’0″), Chad Scott (6’1”), Ike Taylor (6’2”), Bryant McFadden (6’0”), Keenan Lewis (6’1”) and Cortez Allen (6’1”).

Not every one of those aforementioned players was great, but the preference seems obvious. It’s obvious for most teams in the NFL, because bigger corners are ideal. Anyone who’s ever played football at any level will tell you that it’s much easier to defend someone who is your height, as opposed to a few inches taller. And with increased height usually comes increased weight, making for an even more daunting matchup for a shorter individual.

This isn’t to say that it’s impossible, but it’s certainly much more difficult and takes an exceptional player to get the job done.

Can Golson, who is at least three inches shorter than any cornerback drafted in the first round, and was projected by many to go in either the third or fourth round, be that exceptional player, the corner that fans include on future lists of diminutive but great?

It can go either way, and that’s why Senquez Golson’s height is at least a slight concern as he prepares for his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fans have been clamoring for the corner position to be adequately addressed for quite some time, and you’ll have to forgive them if the selection of Golson doesn’t alleviate any nightmares that involve Rob Gronkowski (6’6”) or Calvin Johnson (6’5”).

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