Why you should be excited about Senquez Golson:
- He displayed what Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake characterized as "unusual ball skills" while amassing what Lake termed "unusual production." That included an SEC-leading 10 interceptions in 2014 and 16 for his career at Ole Miss.
- Although just 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, Lake suspects Golson will have the prerequisite toughness necessary to thrive at the NFL level. "He's not one of the bigger corners, but what I measure defensive backs on is how tough they are. They have to check that box for me. I suspect he'll do that."
- Golson is a former eighth-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2011 and turned down a reported $1.1 million contract to attend Ole Miss, where he played football and baseball.
- Did we mention he has unusual ball skills? "Any time you can get a guy who can pluck the ball out of the air he has real value in this league," Lake said.
- Lake maintained Golson met the criteria to become a second-round pick. "At this point in the draft we're looking for someone with exceptional skills," Lake said. "Senquez has exceptional ball skills."
- Golson plays with his head as well as his physical skill set. "Very intelligent, very football aware," Lake assessed. "He's very sharp. He won't have a problem learning the system."
