The Pittsburgh Steelers have started three rookies on their team for the first time in 45 years. The last time was back in 1971, as Chuck Noll was beginning the Steelers domination of the 1970’s, and they drafted key contributors like the Hall of Famer Jack Ham, and Frank Lewis, Dwight White, Gerry Mullins, Larry Brown, Ernie Holmes, and Mike Wagner.
I’m not for a moment suggesting that the Steelers class of 2016 will go on to the dominance that those seven did. But it’s clear that in Artie Burns, Sean Davis, and Javon Hargrave; Pittsburgh’s defense has some key contributors for the next couple of years.
2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Class Could Not Have Gone Better
It’s actually arguable that each of the Steelers’ first three draft picks couldn’t have gone any better. If you compare the players chosen with who was available when the Steelers were on the clock, then you’ll see just how good Kevin Colbert and the scouts did with the 2016 class.
First round selection – Artie Burns (Cornerback)
Pittsburgh picked 25th in the first round last May. At that point, five cornerbacks were already off the board and the need was clear. The vast majority of Steeler nations had wanted William Jackson III, but the Bengals snagged him one pick previously.
There was outrage among fans when Burns was selected. Most people thought it was a reach. I personally liked Burns and thought that the Steelers should have targeted him – in the second round.
Here are the cornerbacks that were drafted after Burns:
- Xavien Howard – Miami Dolphins; Round 2 – Pick 38 (Benched after 4 games)
- Mackensie Alexander – Minnesota Vikings; Round 2 – Pick 54 (3 appearances)
- T.J. Green – Indianapolis Colts; Round 2 – Pick 57 (moved to safety – 3 starts)
- Cyrus Jones – New England Patriots; Round 2 – Pick 60 (8 appearances)
- James Bradbury – Carolina Panthers; Round 2 – Pick 62 (benched after 4 games, back starting again in last 5 games)
- Will Redmond – San Francisco 49ers; Round 3 – Pick 68 (IR )
- KeiVarae Russell – Kansas City Chiefs; Round 3 – Pick 74 (cut by the Chiefs, claimed by the Bengals. On 53-man roster, but hasn’t played)
- Daryl Worley – Carolina Panthers; Round 3 – Pick 77 (benched in week 13)
- Kendall Fuller – Washington Redskins; Round 3 – Pick 84 (six starts)
- Brandon Williams – Arizona Cardinals; Round 3 – Pick 92 (benched after two games)
- Tavon Young – Baltimore Ravens; Round 4 – Pick 104 (in PFF’s top ten rookies)
- Eric Murray – Kansas City Chiefs; Round 4 – Pick 106 (0 starts, 4 tackles)
- Ryan Smith – Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Round 4 – Pick 108 (0 starts, 1 tackles)
- Juston Burris – New York Jets; Round 4 – Pick 118 (0 starts, 12 tackles)
- Rashard Robinson – San Francisco 49ers – Round 4 – Pick 133 (4 starts, given a vote in the Bleacher Report mid-season all rookie team)
- Zack Sanchez – Carolina Panthers -Round 5 – Pick 141 (cut, resigned to practise squad – now on IR)
- LeShaun Sims – Tennessee Titans -Round 5 – Pick 157 (0 starts, 9 tackles)
- Trey Caldwell – Cleveland Browns -Round 5 – Pick 173 (practise squad)
- D.J. White – Kansas City Chiefs – Round 6 – Pick 178 (0 starts, 11 tackles)
- DeAndre Houston-Carson – Chicago Bears – Round 6 – Pick 185 (0 starts, 2 tackles)
- Anthony Brown – Dallas Cowboys – Round 6 – Pick 189 (5 starts, shadowed Antonio Brown v Steelers)
- Blake Countess – Philadelphia Eagles – Round 6 – Pick 196 (cut, signed by LA Rams, in matchday 46 twice – no involvement)
- Harlan Miller – Arizona Cardinals – Round 6 – Pick 205 (practise squad)
- Maurice Canady – Baltimore Ravens – Round 6 – Pick 209 (IR)
- Kevon Seymour – Buffalo Bills – Round 6 – Pick 218 (two starts, 15 tackles)
- Prince Charles Iworah – San Francisco 49ers – Round 7 – Pick 249 (practise squad)
- Kalan Reed – Tennessee Titans – Round 7 – Pick 253 (on 53-man roster, no matchday involvements)
Of the 27 cornerbacks selected after Burns, there are three on practise squads, three on IR, but only ten of them have started games.
The notable names are James Bradbury, a surprise early season starter for the Panthers after Josh Norman left, Anthony Brown who did well against the Steelers, Tavon Young of the Ravens, Rashad Robinson of the 49ers, and Daryl Worley of the Panthers.
Both of the Panthers players have done ok, but are part of a significantly weakened secondary in a bad year for Carolina. Anthony Brown is a great late round gem – but both of Young and Robinson have stood out this year. Robinson may not have many games under his belt – but he did enough to earn a vote for Bleacher Report’s midseason all-rookie team. Tavon Young has been one of the best rookies all year.
In fact, only Young compares to Artie Burns out of all of the cornerbacks drafted after Pittsburgh’s first round pick. Burns has been visibly growing with each game. He has the sixth most tackles of rookie cornerbacks, the most passes defenced of all rookie cornerbacks and is tied in interceptions. His biggest weakness this year has been his tackle technique – but he has displayed a knack for making a play, and is always in the right place, even if the technique is something to work on.
Compare the success of Burns relative to the options available to the Steelers with previous first round picks. In 2015, Kevin Colbert picked Bud Dupree when Shane Ray was available the next pick. Dupree’s injuries may prove the difference, but Ray has been a difference maker for the Broncos on their dominant defence. In 2014, C.J. Mosley was passed up when the Steelers picked Ryan Shazier. Shazier is a great player – when he’s on the field. Mosley possesses the same freak athletic abilities, is stronger and less prone to injuries. And we know that Jarvis Jones was the pick the year before – but the less said about that the better.
Second Round Selection – Sean Davis (Safety)
Davis has arguably been the Steelers best rookie. Davis earned a role with the Steelers very early on, showcasing his versatility as a cornerback and a free safety. In recent weeks, Davis has been making plays – including big tackles and his first interception against the Giants last week.
Davis was the third safety selected – behind Keanu Neal and Karl Joseph. Both Joseph and Neal have been difference makers for their teams already, but Davis is the clear third best rookie safety. Only Vonn Bell, the New Orleans Saints strong safety, comes close to Davis.
Bell plays a very different role to Davis – so it is a little harder to compare the two players for what the Steelers had in mind when they made their pick in the second round.
Safeties that were picked later, like Darian Thompson, Miles Killebrew, Deiondre Hall, Justin Simmons, and Kevin Byard haven’t had much game time, and haven’t made plays like Davis continues to make in the Steelers secondary.
Third Round Selection – Javon Hargrave (Defensive Tackle)
Hargrave has been so good that he won the starting job before the season even started. He has been one of the many rookie defensive linemen who has impressed in 2016.
While we expected big things from first round picks Sheldon Rankins and Kenny Clark, or second round picks A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, third round pick Hargrave was the 13th defensive tackle off the board.
Hargrave was selected over prospects like Hassan Ridgeway, Andrew Billings, Sheldon Day, and Vincent Valentine; and has smashed all of their stats in terms of tackles, run stuff, starts, and plays made.
An excellent pick.
Fourth Round Selection – Jerald Hawkins (OT)
There isn’t much to say about Hawkins, given that the tackle went on season-ending IR before the season even started.
But if there is something to nit-pick about, it’s this. The Steelers felt the need to add Zack Mettenberger to their roster after the draft. They could have picked Dak Prescott in the fourth round. Alas, Dallas nabbed him as a fourth round conditional pick 12 spots later.
Had the Steelers plucked for Prescott, there is an argument to be made that they would have at least two more wins under their belts against the Ravens because Roethlisberger wouldn’t have needed to come back so soon, and against the Cowboys because Prescott wouldn’t have been on the other side.
Late Round Selections – Travis Feeney, Demarcus Ayers, And Tyler Matakevich
Travis Feeney was beaten out to the 53-man roster for seventh round pick and fan favourite Tyler Matakevich. Feeney didn’t get off the practise squad before the Saints signed him.
Ayers was also on the practise squad, but reports are that a promotion is coming; while any contributions from a seventh-round pick in Matakevich are more than welcome.
All in all, decent late round fliers.
In summary, for a draft class that was criticised heavily when it happened; the new Steelers have performed better than expected, and much better than what was available to them. Let’s hope for another draft like this in 2017.
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