Sometimes it is best to save the best for the last.
Thus far, between Tony Defeo and myself, our Steelers draft needs analysis has each spot on the depth chart save for outside linebacker and cornerback. The latter article just got more interesting as news broke that Steelers reserve cornerback Justin Layne was arrested on traffic violations and weapons charges.
According to Joe Rutter and Megan Guza of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Justin Layne is being charged with “with driving with a suspended license, speeding, and transporting a loaded firearm, which is a fourth-degree felony.”
On Twitter, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo reports that Layne was pulled over for “…doing 89 mph in a 50 mph zone.” Marijuana and marijuana odor was also observed.
Justin Layne’s early NFL action against the Cardinals in 2019. Photo Credit: AP, via Tribune-Review
The Steelers, per policy, issued a statement indicating they are aware of the situation but will not make further comment.
So if they won’t, then I will:
- Regardless of what happens in the courts with Justin Layne, he has failed the idiot test.
Layne apparently already has a warrant out for another outstanding traffic violation. Although he is not yet facing any drug related charges, someone in his car was using marijuana, opening himself up to suspicion for driving with a controlled substance. And he has a loaded fire arm in the car.
- Right away those are three separate things that could bring Layne into trouble with the law.
But truthfully, the odds are slim that you or I would ever know about any of the above had Justin Layne been smart enough to do one thing: Drive the speed limit.
People who drive the speed limit and obey other traffic laws still end up getting pulled over, and this happens to African American men far too often. But driving 40 miles an hour is a surefire way to catch the attention of a police officer.
Ergo, driving 40 miles above the speed limit is something that should be avoided if you’ve got an outstanding violation and/or are illegally transporting a weapon. That concept is apparently lost on Justin Layne.
Better This Happen Today, as Opposed to Ten Days from Now
What happens next is anyone’s guess. It could be that Justin Layne innocent of the charges. Even if the evidence is solid, one would have to assume that Justin Layne can afford good enough legal representation to keep him out of jail, assuming jail time is a possibility should he be convicted of the charges.
- But he could still face discipline from the NFL and/or the Steelers.
Either way, the chances of the Steelers taking a cornerback earlier than expected in the 2021 NFL Draft just got better. Our full analysis will come later, but Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson‘s departures have thinned the Steelers depth at cornerback to Justin Layne and James Pierre.
- The urgency of adding someone else into the mix just got greater.
Better that Justin Layne fail the “Idiot Test” one week before the NFL draft as opposed to a week after.
