Cornerback and return specialist Joe Burnett (Eustis, Fla.) was selected in the fifth round by the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Burnett was the 25th Knight to be drafted all-time and the first by Pittsburgh.
“When you look at him statistically, he is very productive,” Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton said of Burnett. “He is a return man – both kickoff and punt, and he gets interceptions. He is a guy who was a playmaker for them, and we expect him to be a playmaker for us in a multitude of ways. I am not going to compare him to (former Steelers’ wide receiver) Antwaan Randle El, but hopefully on the defensive side that is what he can be – a guy who can do a multitude of things for us. He is a guy who will come in and compete at corner in the nickel and as a return man. He will make his living at the start as a third-down type of corner and as a returner. After he grows into the position, if he can pick off the ball and return it for touchdowns like that he will be on the field quite a bit.”