Georgia speedster Daylen Everette brings elite 40-time and playmaking ability to the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary as a third-round draft pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went for speed in the secondary with their second of three third-round picks on Friday night in the NFL Draft when they selected Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette.
Everette was clocked at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also registered a 37.5-inch vertical leap. Everette decided to stand on those marks during Georgia’s subsequent pro day.
However, Everette is more than just a workout wonder. He was third-team All-SEC each of the last two seasons and had a productive four-year career at Georgia.
Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham also likes Everette’s intangibles.
"A good football player, someone that can tackle, someone that has some speed and explosiveness,” Graham said. “We're trying to be an explosive unit out there on the field. So those are all traits that he has.
"And then having a football IQ when you talk ball to him. There's a level of intelligence there that is intriguing, and knowing the system he came from, that makes it even more intriguing. Good football player, and like most of those guys, you've just got to play hard, earn the trust of the veterans, and then we'll see how it plays out in September."
Last season, Everette started 13 games and had a team-leading 10 pass breakups. He also made 50 tackles, one interception, one quarterback hit, and one forced fumble, and was invited to play in the Senior Bowl.
Everette was a freshman when Georgia won the national championship in 2022, appearing in 14 games as a reserve. He moved into the lineup the next season and started 14 times in both 2023 and 2024.
Everette broke up five passes in 2023. The following season, he led Georgia with three interceptions and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles.
In his career with the Bulldogs, Everette had 150 tackles (107 solo stops), five tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, 19 pass breakups, two quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Everette had dual majors in housing management and policy and in sport management.
Everette’s hometown is Norfolk, Va., but he finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Everette was a five-star recruit and was a top 50 overall prospect nationally.
Everette’s brother, Donovan, played defensive line collegiately at Elon and Mercyhurst.