Mel Kiper breaks down perfect landing spot for Kamari Lassiter

ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first mock draft on Wednesday and went over it pick-by-pick on a SportsCenter special. One pick he highlighted? No. 20 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who he has taking Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

It wouldn’t be the first time in recent history the Steelers have reached for a defensive back in the early rounds.

“If you think about last year, first pick in the second round they took Joey Porter Jr., cornerback,” Kiper explained. “I think they go back to that spot again. Think about this division. (Deshaun) Watson‘s coming back from the injury. Joe Burrow‘s coming back. The AFC’s loaded with great quarterbacks.”

A 6-foot, 180-pound junior out of Georgia, Lassiter showed his ability to be a lockdown cornerback over multiple seasons. He played against elite competition in the SEC, so whoever selects him in the 2024 NFL Draft will know exactly what they’re getting.

Kiper broke down the basics.

“Kamari Lassiter, he was in the hip pocket of receivers all year,” the veteran ESPN analyst said. “Not penalized, though. Only had one career interception, but he had 10 in high school. He was a wide receiver as well in high school.”

Lassiter as named a second-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches in 2023 after another solid season. He was a full-time starter for the last two seasons.

In three years, Lassiter recorded 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, an interception and 15 passes defended.

And don’t let the lack of interceptions fool you.

“He is an aggressive football player,” Kiper said. “Eight and a half tackles for a loss last two years. He will get after it. He is a kid who I was really impressed with. He was glued to receivers, yet he wasn’t handsy, wasn’t grabby, not penalized very often. So I like that aspect of his game moving forward. I think he’s an underrated player who’s going to move up the draft boards as we go through this process.”

Prior to enrolling at Georgia, Kamari Lassiter was a four-star recruit and the No. 231 overall prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as the No. 21 cornerback in his class and the No. 7 overall player from the state of Alabama, hailing from Tuscaloosa (AL) American Christian.