NFL Draft 2026: Could Clemson’s Avieon Terrell Be the Steelers’ First-Round Answer in the Secondary?
The countdown is on - just 10 weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, turning the Steel City into the beating heart of football for one unforgettable weekend. While the city readies for the spotlight, the Steelers are deep in evaluation mode, staring down a first-round pick at No. 21 and a roster with real needs on both sides of the ball. Quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back top the list - and it’s that last one that’s starting to gain traction in early mock drafts.
One name generating buzz? Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL analyst Garrett Podell has the Steelers selecting Terrell at No. 21 overall - a move that would inject some much-needed youth and playmaking ability into Pittsburgh’s secondary. And it’s not hard to see why Terrell is on the radar.
The Clemson product has built a reputation as one of the most aggressive defensive backs in college football. He led all corners with five forced fumbles last season, and his eight forced fumbles since 2023 are the most by any corner in the country over that span. That kind of ball-hawking mentality fits right into the Steelers’ long-standing defensive identity - a unit that thrives on physicality and creating turnovers.
“He’s a hard-nosed DB that would probably fit in really well in Pittsburgh,” Podell noted. “He plays the nickel/slot area well and is a nice closer in short-zone coverage.”
That versatility is key. Terrell isn’t your prototypical outside corner - he’s listed at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds - and that frame can present challenges when matched up with bigger, more physical receivers on the outside.
But what he lacks in size, he makes up for with instinct, toughness, and a nose for the football. Despite not recording an interception in 2025, Terrell still managed 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, showcasing his ability to be disruptive in multiple ways.
Over his first two seasons, he notched three interceptions, giving a glimpse of his ball skills in coverage.
And yes, the bloodlines are strong. Terrell is the younger brother of **A.J.
Terrell**, the Atlanta Falcons’ former first-rounder and one of the league’s top outside corners. But while A.J. brings that classic outside presence at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Avieon is carving out a different lane - one that could thrive in today’s NFL.
“He’s probably best suited for the nickel at the next level,” Podell said. “You could play him outside, but I think he’d have to be in a zone-heavy scheme to make that work.”
That’s where Pittsburgh’s defensive flexibility comes into play. With Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, and James Pierre all set to hit free agency, the Steelers have some big decisions to make in the secondary.
Terrell could be a natural replacement for Echols, who primarily held down the slot corner role last season. And in a league that lives in three-receiver sets, having a high-level nickel is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Still, the idea of spending a first-round pick on a nickel corner might raise some eyebrows. But Podell pointed to the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks as a prime example of why that thinking is outdated.
Seattle leaned into nickel more than any team in the league, running base defense on just 6.3% of their snaps - the fewest in the NFL. Their rookie nickel, Nick Emmanwori, played a critical role in their Super Bowl win over New England, racking up five tackles and finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The message is clear: in today’s pass-heavy NFL, nickel is the new base. And if you can stop the run and still keep five defensive backs on the field? You’re in business.
That’s a formula the Steelers could use. In 2025, Pittsburgh finished 17th in points allowed (22.8 per game), 29th in passing yards allowed (243.9), and 28th in total yards allowed (374.1).
Those numbers paint a picture of a defense that struggled to keep up with modern offenses - particularly through the air. Adding a physical, turnover-happy presence like Terrell could help flip that script.
The draft will take place April 23-25, right outside Acrisure Stadium, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends in Pittsburgh’s history. Past drafts have drawn crowds of over half a million, and with the Steelers holding a pivotal first-round pick, the energy around this year’s event is already building.
Whether it’s Avieon Terrell or another prospect, the Steelers have a chance to make a statement - not just with who they pick, but how they plan to shape the identity of their defense for years to come.