Brandin Echols

Brandin Echols is a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As of September 29, 2026, Pittsburgh lists him on its active roster as No. 26. The 5-foot-10, 179-pound defensive back signed a two-year contract with the Steelers on March 13, 2025, after spending his first four NFL seasons with the New York Jets. Echols was born on October 16, 1997.

Echols began college at Northwest Mississippi Community College as a wide receiver before moving to defensive back during his freshman season. He developed into an NJCAA second-team All-American and transferred to Kentucky, where he played during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He graduated in December 2020 with a degree in community and leadership development and received academic recognition from the SEC and Kentucky.

The Jets selected Echols in the sixth round with the 200th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately earned a starting role as a rookie and later received Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week recognition following a touchdown return against Miami. Echols has built his professional role around speed, coverage versatility and special-teams value. Pittsburgh has described him as capable of playing both outside cornerback and in the slot, while his background as a receiver and track athlete helps explain his ball skills and athletic approach.