In just a week and a half, the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field to open the 2019 season against the New England Patriots. Months of preparation and roster changes will finally culminate in meaningful games. Following the 2019 NFL Draft, there was a strong level of excitement for the new crop of rookies joining the team. Rookie minicamp, team minicamp, training camp, and most of the preseason are all over, so now is a good time to evaluate those rookies. Here’s a post draft review of the Steelers picks this year. Here’s a prediction of the impact the Steelers rookies would have. Below is a review of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 draft class where their progress is graded as the regular season approaches.
Preseason Progress Report for the Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 Draft Class
The Standout Performers
The two rookies that have lived up to their billing and maybe even surpassed it are Devin Bush and Diontae Johnson. The top two picks for the Steelers have shown they are certainly up for the challenge. In his professional debut, Bush tallied 10 tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bush also very nearly had an interception to add to that stat line. That first preseason game confirmed much of the talk that came out of minicamps and training camp. Bush was ready to make an impact from day one. After being held out in the second preseason game, he held his own with the starters in the third game against the Tennessee Titans. To this point in the season, Bush has lived up to the hype.
Diontae Johnson has been a pleasant surprise to almost everyone. Fairly or unfairly, Johnson will always be looked at as the replacement for Antonio Brown. The pick the Steelers acquired from the Oakland Raiders for Brown was used to take the speedy receiver from Toledo. Throughout minicamp and training camp, Johnson showcased his talent. His size and speed are more reminiscent of Emmanuel Sanders than Brown but just as effective. Johnson only played in the second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he put on a show. Johnson has three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. A pass interference call negated a second score for him. For a third-round pick with as much scrutiny on him as Johnson has, he has risen to the occasion.
Still Needs Some Work
Justin Layne was seen as a steal by Pittsburgh when they picked him in the third round. The Steelers already had Joe Haden and added Steven Nelson from the Chiefs. There is no pressure for Layne to play right away. Yet his performance in the first preseason game left more to be desired. He missed a few tackles and his coverage was extremely soft. However, as the preseason has continued Layne has begun to find his footing. He hasn’t done enough to displace Haden or Nelson, but there is little doubt he is one of the top backups. Layne needs some refinement, but he is trending in a positive direction.
Zach Gentry is about as raw as they come as far as tight end prospects go. Having switched from quarterback to tight end while in college, he has much to learn, but also a lot of potential. While his stats in the preseason are not eye-popping he has shown some glimpses of being a good alternative to Vance McDonald. Gentry has four catches from six targets for 32 yards and one touchdown. His growth has been slow and marred by injuries during the preseason. If he can stay healthy, Gentry could have a promising future ahead of him.
Disappointing So Far
Many fans were excited about the addition of fourth-round pick Benny Snell Jr. out of Kentucky. Snell was looked at as a bruising back to complement James Conner in the backfield. Some saw his running style, including this writer, as reminiscent of Jerome Bettis. What has transpired has been largely disappointing. During camp, Snell was progressing. His running was strong and he was improving in his pass-catching and blocking. But once the lights flipped on and the preseason games began, Snell didn’t quite seem up to the task. He’s received a sizable share of the plays in both of the games he’s played in. But all that work hasn’t yielded much. Snell has averaged just over two yards per carry without scoring a touchdown. However, he has been more effective in catching the ball.
Fourth-round draft capital is enough to keep Snell on the roster, regardless of how he has played. Coach Mike Tomlin held him out of the third preseason game due to injury. If the injury lingers, Snell could land on the injured reserve for the season. If Snell recovers, he faces an uphill climb to be the top backup. Jaylen Samuels appears to be solidifying his hold in that role. Snell could instead make his impact on third down and special teams. For now, however, it has been a disappointing start for Benny.
Will Have a Role – Of Some Kind
During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Steelers made a trio of picks in the sixth round. Those selections netted them linebackers Sutton Smith and Ulysees Gilbert III as well as defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. Each has had individual moments of impact, but nothing that puts them ahead of anyone else. Smith has battled through injuries and hasn’t been able to truly showcase all he can do. His biggest impact has been on special teams where his speed is a real asset. Gilbert has played well throughout the preseason. However, undrafted rookie Tuzar Skipper has overshadowed him. A roster spot might come down to picking between Gilbert or Skipper. Buggs has been on a bit of a roller coaster during camp and the preseason. Buggs has improved, but it has been quite slow. He has struggled at times during games to make a real impact.
Of the three, Buggs likely has the best chance to make the 53-man roster. The Steelers like to keep six defensive linemen on the roster and as a draft pick, Buggs has a strong chance to stay. Things are going to be much tighter for Smith and Gilbert. Linebacker Olasunkanmi Adeniyi has a meniscus tear that might land him on the short-term injured reserve. If he does, Smith might manage to hang onto a roster spot for half the season. Gilbert might have to hope his status as a draft pick outweighs the performances Skipper has had. Gilbert has been solid, but he hasn’t shined. If push comes to shove, Smith and/or Gilbert could find themselves on the practice squad at least.
Outside Looking In
Seventh-round draft picks don’t carry big financial commitments or expectations. Offensive lineman Derwin Gray had an uphill battle from the get-go as the last member of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 draft class. His versatility as both a guard and tackle was to be his ticket to nailing down a roster spot. Unfortunately, he hasn’t managed to stand out enough as a utility man or at either position. That leaves Gray in the unenviable position of hoping for a spot on the practice squad. Unless injuries change things, Gray won’t make the 53-man roster.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 draft class has had its ups and downs to this point. But that is to be expected with rookies. As the season begins, the amount of impact each rookie will be able to have will vary. Only time will tell the impact each player will have.
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