Honest Evaluation of Recent Top Picks

[deljzc]

So if I am going to get back into the Steelers, I have to know what we have in the cupboard.

What are peoples' opinion of all the recent trench guys we've drafted: Jones, Fautanu, Harmon, Frazier & Benton? Are they pulling their weight (pun intended)?

That's a lot of recent draft capital to improve our trenches and I'm curious if the investment is working. Not that I'm against drafting more big uglies, but if we do decide to trade Watt, our back-7 is looking awfully thin based on my roster analysis.

Just looking for people's opinions.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

Harmon, Fautanu, and Frazier are keepers. Benton and Jones are playing for their future with the Steelers next season.

Don't forget Yahya Black -- hopefully he is a run plugger.

 

[deljzc]

So I've been working on writing down our roster... a couple quick questions

Do we have any safeties worth anything under contract going into 2026 other than DeShon Elliot? Or do we just use Ramsey as a deep safety sometimes?

We're also a lot younger than I thought. Not to say all those young guys are good, but the roster isn't bare.

 

[BLITZ]

Del welcome back!only one of those mentioned are concerning and thst is Jones. But even he was getting better till he was injured.

New coach coming in has zero ties to anyone. Will be interesting how this team shakes out

 

[troymania]

Honestly, it's going to be getting the right position coaches in place. We have 2 OL first round picks, a second round pick that had a ****** coach. Harmon and Black are keepers. TJ is still a great player but his skills are already diminished. Herbig and Captain Jack are building blocks. I am not sure about Highsmith. It seems like he is injured a lot. I think they can part ways with Queen and Ramsey. I am torn on Heyward.He can still play at a high level but do you want to pay him or does he go someplace else to chase a Super Bowl. Pay Porter Jr. Pay Gainwell. The WR room needs blown up. TE room is good, just draft a replacement for Smith. RB room is good. QB room is suspect at best. You either give Howard a shot or bring in Willis from Green Bay. K and P are set it will be an interesting off season.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Broderick Jones - D
The approach the Steelers took with Jones was poor. He came in as a raw prospect and they should've focused on getting him ready to play LT. He's had ups and downs and we still don't know what type of player he can be.

Troy Fautanu - B+
This was basically his rookie year after missing last season. His best tape is really good--I know the playoff game was dreadful. I think he takes a step forward next year and will eventually be one of the top RTs in the league.

Zach Frazier - A+
Frazier is a standout among OL experts who consistently rate him as one of the best centers in the league.

Mason McCormick - A
I think we are getting above average play from a day 3. Excellent return on investment and he looks like a long-time starter. You don't need studs at every position, he's just going to be a good player.

Overall, this line can be very good, they just don't always play to the sum of their parts and that is on coaching/scheme.

Keeanu Benton - C+
I'm not sure if he's in the best position. He struggled early in the season and was getting dominated in the run game. We saw improvement later in the season and need that level of play over the course of an entire season. He's not a foundational piece but should get a second contract.

Derrick Harmon - B-
A few injury concerns this year. Developing as a pass rusher is a process for IDL. He's been good defending the run and I saw some progression with how he's using his hands from the start of the season. I don't think he's going to be another Cam Heyward, but he can develop into a Stephon Tuitt level player, expect more consistent.

Yahya Black - C
Depth player selected later in the draft. He doesn't offer a whole lot yet, but he's better than some of the other depth pieces in recent years.

There are some building blocks in this group, but there should be another high draft pick as Heyward isn't going to play forever.

 

[SteelerFan448]

So I've been working on writing down our roster... a couple quick questions

Do we have any safeties worth anything under contract going into 2026 other than DeShon Elliot? Or do we just use Ramsey as a deep safety sometimes?

We're also a lot younger than I thought. Not to say all those young guys are good, but the roster isn't bare.

So I expected the top offseason needs to be QB, WR, CB, and DL. I'd actually put S well ahead of CB. Other than Elliott, maybe Duggar as a depth player? Ramsey will depend on the head coach. Safety is a need.

 

[BLITZ]

Un

So I expected the top offseason needs to be QB, WR, CB, and DL. I'd actually put S well ahead of CB. Other than Elliott, maybe Duggar as a depth player? Ramsey will depend on the head coach. Safety is a need.

Unless 1 drops, wont get a day starting QB 2026. Trenches again or best WR

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I was beginning to like Jones. What concerns me now is the injury. It may be his doom. Need to know more about it being a neck injury. We need a guard to replace Isaac now or in the near future. I think Benton is fine on defense if used properly with Black and Harmon. We still need one younger stud for a rotation on the line or two if Cam retires. I love our OLB rotation. Ramsey could hold down one of the safety spots for few years with a training camp exclusively at that spot. Elliott is injury prone I fear. WR is desperately in need of a revamp.

 

[GMC]

I think we have some good young lineman that have not been used properly and will look really good in black and gold with proper coaching.

 

[Litos]

Harmon, Benton and Black are a pretry good base for the DLine core, we do have to draft another big ugly on D to complete the core. Then get a vet to guide them if Cam leaves.

On the OL the right side is set and affordable for the future. Yes Fautanu had an ugly game but this is first true season playing as injuries screwed him as a rookie. The left side is a puzzle, Bro Jones did improve but don't know if enough to sign him long term and expect high level development and drafting a mid round LG would be ideal while signing a starting vet for the front 5.

So basically at the least 2 relatively high pics must be invested at linemen. The top draft pick should be WR, and then double dip in later rounds. Another position to invest would be Safet , there's zero young talent there , get the best S/CB available in mid rounds to add to the staff.

This is how my ideal raft would look like
1- WR
3a- DL
3b- S/CB/OL/ILB
3c- S/CB/OL/ILB
4a-S/CB/OL/ILB
4b- S/CB/OL/ILB
5- WR
6- BPA
Etc

(The extra picks according to the current projected comps )

 

[SteelerFan448]

Un
Unless 1 drops, wont get a day starting QB 2026. Trenches again or best WR

I think you mean unless one rises. Mendoza isn't falling. That's the list.

Simpson apparently got first-round grades despite struggling late in the season. I think he's at best a late first-rounder for certain systems. Maybe there is a Jaxson Dart or Bo Nix type that rises into the first round.

 

[slashsteel]

Harmon, Benton and Black are a pretry good base for the DLine core, we do have to draft another big ugly on D to complete the core. Then get a vet to guide them if Cam leaves.

On the OL the right side is set affordable the future. Yes Fautanu had an ugly game but this is first true season playing as injuries screwed him as a rookie. The right side is a puzzle, Bro Jones did improve but don't know if enough to sign him long term and expect high level development and drafting a mid round LG would be ideal while signing a starting vet for the front 5.

So basically at the least 2 relatively high pics must be invested at linemen. The topo draft pick should be WR, and then double dip in later rounds. Another position to invest would be Safet , there's zero young talent there , get the best S/CB available in mid rounds to add to the staff.

This is how my ideal raft would look like
1- WR
3a- DL
3b- S/CB/OL/ILB
3c- S/CB/OL/ILB
4a-S/CB/OL/ILB
4b- S/CB/OL/ILB
5- WR
6- BPA
Etc

(The extra picks according to the current projected comps )

I was thinking more along the line of QB, WR, DE,CB, G, and FS.

I think free agency will again be active.

I could see them possibly bringing in a QB. Probably a WR and a CB…. Perhaps a FS too..

 

[Litos]

I was thinking more along the line of QB, WR, DE,CB, G, and FS.

I think free agency will again be active.

I could see them possibly bringing in a QB. Probably a WR and a CB…. Perhaps a FS too..

But which QB ? I think anyone at late 1st would be a reach in this draft. Basically we agree on the rest of it

 

[troymania]

But which QB ? I think anyone at late 1st would be a reach in this draft. Basically we agree on the rest of it

Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss is suing the NCAA for another year of eligibility. If he gets turned down then the draft is his only fallback.

 

[slashsteel]

But which QB ? I think anyone at late 1st would be a reach in this draft. Basically we agree on the rest of it

Good question looks like this isn’t the draft to pick a QB early unless you have the luxury of the first overall pick. Will be a hard decide for them no doubt..

 

[Litos]

Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss is suing the NCAA for another year of eligibility. If he gets turned down then the draft is his only fallback.

I'm no college football follower but I understand he only has one good year in what? 4 or 5? So a new Kenny Pickett?

 

[Drink IRON City]

So if I am going to get back into the Steelers, I have to know what we have in the cupboard.

What are peoples' opinion of all the recent trench guys we've drafted: Jones, Fautanu, Harmon, Frazier & Benton? Are they pulling their weight (pun intended)?

That's a lot of recent draft capital to improve our trenches and I'm curious if the investment is working. Not that I'm against drafting more big uglies, but if we do decide to trade Watt, our back-7 is looking awfully thin based on my roster analysis.

Just looking for people's opinions.

deljzc, I just wanted to take a moment and welcome you back to the board.

As in the past, I am finding in the present that your post haven't lost the quality earned.

Thanks For holding true of your exit of not "steelers" until a certain coach is gone.

Appreciate you



Salute the nation

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm no college football follower but I understand he only has one good year in what? 4 or 5? So a new Kenny Pickett?

He's only been at Ole Miss for one year, previously playing at Division II Ferris State, where he won a National Championship. He was very good at that level as well. He's undersized and apparently doesn't want to go to the NFL. That is a bit of a concern if he doesn't have a choice. He's already 23 years old.

 

[Litos]

He's only been at Ole Miss for one year, previously playing at Division II Ferris State, where he won a National Championship. He was very good at that level as well. He's undersized and apparently doesn't want to go to the NFL. That is a bit of a concern if he doesn't have a choice. He's already 23 years old.

Yeah no thanks, maybe a 4th ?

 

[SteelerSask2]

Id look at Frazier, Fantanau and Harmon as wins. They will be solid minimum with some Pro Bowl/All Pro upside. Broderick and Benton are really inconsistent. Until the injury Broderick had some good games. And some of the same old dirt garbage. Benton is a situational pass rushers. He's a decent gapper but gets folded like Origami vs the run.

 

[Litos]

Id look at Frazier, Fantanau and Harmon as wins. They will be solid minimum with some Pro Bowl/All Pro upside. Broderick and Benton are really inconsistent. Until the injury Broderick had some good games. And some of the same old dirt garbage. Benton is a situational pass rushers. He's a decent gapper but gets folded like Oregami vs the run.

I think Benton got his footing this season. DL is one of those positions that take several years to develop. If he keeps working on his run stopping and gap integrity he would be a very good starter as he already has a good pass rushing developed.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Harmon has big potential, but I see him as a little soft. Time can fix the soft as he matures into his role.

McCormick is strong, some say he is playing higher than n his ability. I think he will keep improving as he has that “Country Strong” farm boy in him.

B.Jones has been bud-handled drastically from day 1. With this turned over coaching staff, he may get the help he needs. Not sure if he has the off-season work ethic needed, but am hopeful .

Y.Black is like most rookies, he needs to strength up. this off-season can be a big difference maker for him.


My $1.28, we need a new LG. NOT juggle and switch, draft a designated LG and don’t try to fit someone into a position change spot.




Salute the nation

 

[SteelerSask2]

I think Benton got his footing this season. DL is one of those positions that take several years to develop. If he keeps working on his run stopping and gap integrity he would be a very good starter as he already has a good pass rushing developed.

I think he is just light in the pants in the A gap against run. They had a Dlineman they got from Cincinnati like that. Was a good gapper. Good first step. But too weak to be at the point.
* Larry Ogunjobi

 

[Aussie_Steeler]

I'm no college football follower but I understand he only has one good year in what? 4 or 5? So a new Kenny Pickett?

I think the knock on Chambliss is he only had one year with a Division I college. He only started for 2 years (Pickett did start for 4 years), and did well both years, but the first year of starting was a Div II college. First year he was redshirted, then I think he lost most of a year to injury, which I believe is the reason he is trying to argue for an extra year of college eligibility.

I don't think he's going first round, possibly worth a day three pick.