Brandin

Echols

Echols and Skowronek are the only players on Pittsburgh’s active roster who will miss today’s game because of injuries, though they have several key players on IR. Both players have more snaps on special teams than offense or defense this year.

Echols was injured in Week 3’s win over the Bengals and did not return to the field. Given the short turnaround time for the Steelers to prepare for Thursday’s game against the Browns, Echols is a virtual lock to miss Week 4, but could return in time for Week 5’s game when the Steelers play host to the Colts. Echols has played primarily on special teams this season and has logged only 13 snaps on defense, per PFF.

The Jets’ secondary has underperformed while dealing with injuries this season. Echols will be missed in sub-packages. He is a capable rotational player.

Echols was involved in a two-car crash in April 2022 that left the other driver with a spinal-cord injury that required multiple surgeries. Echols was driving 84 in a 50 mph zone according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Echols fell out of New York’s defensive plans in 2022 and was used on just 69 defensive snaps.

Echols (5'10/179) is a former JUCO product who became a two-year starter for Kentucky, turning out 11 passes defended over that span. Echols never did grab an interception, though he came close in one instance against Alabama in 2020. Echols shines most in off-man coverage, where he can use his high-end speed (4.30 40-yard dash) and adequate agility without getting outmuscled at the line of scrimmage. Echols can also drive back to the ball with great explosion, as evidenced by his 98th- and 99th-percentile vertical and broad jumps, respectively. Given his frame, however, Echols regularly loses the battle of physicality, both at the line and down the field. Echols also struggles to tackle, which brings into question how well he could theoretically survive at nickel in the NFL.

Echols transferred to Kentucky without much fanfare who moved from wide receiver to corner, but he started 11-of-13 games for the Wildcats last year, and he led the team with nine pass breakups and was fourth with 52 tackles. “The Wildcat is one of the 10 best press-man corners in college football,” writes Treash, “where he’s allowed just eight catches on his 23 targets for 99 yards.” He also notes Echols was excellent in contested situations, allowing six catches in 12 opportunities. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound corner is one of the best returners in the SEC, and should be following the top wideouts in the conference in 2020.