Tim Benz: Steelers picking CB Rock Ya-Sin in 1st round would be mistake

Let’s hope this is wrong.

Unless you run a T-shirt shop in the Strip District. In that case, business might be boom …

Never mind. You get the point.

For as great of a name as Rock Ya-Sin may be, I think it would sound a lot better if it is read during the second round of the NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as opposed to the first.

But according to Peter King of “Football Morning in America,” that’s the cornerback who Mike Tomlin really likes.

Well, who he likes if the Steelers can’t move up in the draft to select a coveted inside linebacker such as Devin Bush or Devin White.

Here’s a portion of what King posted Monday in his mock draft.

“Word on the scouting street is that Mike Tomlin loves Ya-Sin, and with White and Bush off the board at a position of great Steeler need (linebacker), Pittsburgh opts for a physical 5-11 3/4 corner who made tremendous plays in his one season of (fairly) big-time football.”

As King points out, no team in his draft selected a corner prior to the Steelers at No. 20. If the Steelers do make Ya-Sin the first player selected at that position, that’s too high.

Greedy Williams (LSU) and Byron Murphy (Washington) appear to be much more bankable prospects at that position.

Ya-Sin, while athletically intriguing, looks like more of a risk. After all, as King references, he’s an FCS transfer from Presbyterian. He could be available in the early second round. If the club likes him that much by then, they should trade up in the second round if they fail to do so in the first.

If the Steelers don’t go with a corner in Round 1, I’d prefer they wait on a project pick like Ya-Sin until Round 2.

Terrell Edmunds, Artie Burns and Sean Davis each were picked over the last three drafts in the first two rounds. In each case, those players were chosen at least a few slots earlier than most experts anticipated. If not a few rounds early.

Davis’ results have been mixed. Edmunds’ first season was decent. Burns is on track toward washing out before his first contract expires.

The Steelers don’t need to reach at that position again. And Ya-Sin at No. 20 would be a reach.

Not a bad player. But not that early with so many other holes on the roster that could be addressed with a more proven prospect.