Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Versatile Cornerback Donte Kent

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent as their seventh-round pick, marking a continuation of Coach Mike Tomlin‘s fondness for versatile players. Tomlin described Kent as having a ‘Swiss Army Knife skill set’ during the team’s draft announcement on Saturday.

Kent, picked at No. 229 overall, follows in the footsteps of Tre Norwood, who Tomlin had similarly praised for his adaptability. Norwood has played various positions on defense for the Steelers since being drafted in 2021. ‘He has a Swiss Army Knife skill set,’ Tomlin reiterated, emphasizing Kent’s potential to fill multiple roles.

In college, Kent showcased his diverse abilities, logging 2,049 snaps as an outside cornerback, 856 as a slot corner, and 237 as an in-the-box safety over five seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. He also made a mark as a punt returner, averaging 13.6 yards per attempt last season.

The Steelers’ official bio listed him as ‘CB/PR,’ hinting at a significant opportunity for him to compete for the team’s punt returner position. ‘A seventh-round pick will contribute in some capacity on special teams if he has any chance to play as a rookie,’ Tomlin noted.

Kent expressed confidence in his versatility, stating, ‘I feel like I could do both. I’m a versatile player. I could play the nickel position. I also could play the cornerback position as well.’ His track record as a four-year starter, combined with his first-team All-MAC honors in 2022, caught the attention of the Steelers.

Despite the pandemic impacting his high school senior year, Kent thrived at Harrisburg High School and was selected for the Big 33 all-star game, which ultimately didn’t occur. His two older brothers also played college football, enhancing his competitive background.

At his pro day, Kent’s speed was evident as he clocked a 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, ranking high among cornerback prospects. His NFL draft profile suggests he is ‘better suited for the slot,’ but Kent remains open to playing wherever the Steelers see fit.

‘I don’t have a preference of where I should play. Wherever y’all want me at, that’s where I’ll play,’ Kent declared during a media conference call after being drafted.