With the 2021 NFL Draft in the books, we’re turning our attention to the eight undrafted free agents signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. These will be scouting reports on the players signed we didn’t have any pre-draft profiles on.
#28 Mark Gilbert/ CB / Duke – 6’0 1/8”, 186lb
The Good
-Has the speed (4.48 40) and the explosiveness (36” vert, 130” broad) to play on the outside and hold up in man coverage
-Decent arm length (31 2/8”) combined with height aid in ability to contest passes
-Has experience playing both on the boundary as well as in the slot
-Can track the ball well in the air and can get position to play the ball deep downfield
-Does a great job anticipating the pass and jumping the route in zone or in off-man coverage
-Has proven ball skills with production in the INT department
-Isn’t afraid to stick his face in the fan as a tackler and will play physical as a run defender
-Strong wrap up tackler on the perimeter
-Can run with receivers in-phase down the sideline
The Bad
-Smaller hand size than you would like to see (8 3/4”)
-Boasts a thin frame that can result in difficulty shedding blocks on the outside and struggle to handle size on the perimeter
-Doesn’t have great deep speed and can give up a step to receivers when covering vertically downfield
-Played just four games and 226 snaps over the last three seasons due to major injuries to his hip and foot
-Questions linger if he’ll be able to flip his hips to transition and run with receivers trying to stack him after injuries
-Isn’t overly twitchy and will give up inside releases too often with his eyes locked into the backfield
-Will turn 24 years old in his rookie season
Bio
-Redshirt Senior Prospect from Fayetteville, NC
-Nephew of former Pitt and NFL defensive tackle Sean Gilbert, who was the No.