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Early Draft Grade

I like this draft but like all drafts it has to play out but we needed this draft bad! I think the big boys will play big minutes on the d-line both have a beast mode and will fit right into the rotation. I think Jack sawyer will be the surprise of the draft. I’ve said negitive **** about highsmith from day one how he is free loading on watt and cam. They draw all the blocking to their side and highsmith has to only a tightend or fullback and then it’s 50/50. You’re not going to block sawyer with t-ends and fullbacks. 6-4 260 he has the same numbers coming out that Khalil Mack had. And that’s who he plays like! This defense really strengthened itself imho.
 
First Round
The first-round board wasn't great if the Steelers passed on Harmon. I don't think Hampton was an option at RB and safety is like RB in the first round, so I think they pass on Starks. That would've left Golden or Pearce. There was a steep drop in talent at IDL after Harmon. He was the last top talent with the ability to develop as a pass rusher. It was a good pick at a high-priority position.

Expectations: If all goes as anticipated, he'll play 40-50% of the snaps as a rookie. I know a lot compared him to Heyward as a prospect, but that's unfair as he'll be a borderline Hall of Famer. I'll be impressed if he can reach Stephon Tuitt's peak and cool if he can match Brett Keisel's production.

Second Round
Not looking at the contract, just at the talent, Metcalf was such as fantastic use of the second-round pick. Unless they went with Mike Green (questionable), there was no high-end talent left.

Expectations: WR1 and instant impact. Immediately the best player on the offensive side of the ball.

Third Round
I was surprised there wasn't a run on RBs earlier. For me, Jeanty and Hampton were in that top tier followed by a group of Henderson, Judkins, and Johnson. It really came down to if the Steelers wanted to take an early flier on a QB or go with a position of need. The 2nd and 3rd round are sweet spots for good RBs and Johnson was just sitting there. Possibly the perfect RB-team fit for the Steelers and Johnson. Five backs went ahead of the Steelers in the 4th.

Expectations: He'll eventually win the starting job and produce in the way the Steelers hoped Najee Harris would when selected in the first round. More importantly, he will help the Steelers keep that strong 1A-1B punch by keeping Jaylen Warren in his specific role.

Fourth Round
Jack Sawyer was not who I expected, but the position was a spot I thought they'd take on Day 3. The Steelers need to go 4 deep at EDGE and Sawyer helped fill the void. I think they like the fact that he loves football and is a team captain.

Expectations: Limited snaps early, but increasing as the season progresses to help keep the starters fresh. Upside as a pass rusher limited due to his lack of athleticism compared to some of the top players, he'll put in the work to get there. Plus, if he can be a monster run stopper that is good enough.

Fifth Round
Karl Dunbar discussed in his PC that one way to get better along the DL is to get younger, so there's a good chance they will want Yahya Black to contribute as a rookie. He's massive and provides the Steelers with another piece along the DL. There were some higher upside players I liked here at G and DB, but I get the move.

Expectations: Part-time player who will be lucky to get on the field as a rookie. Even if he does carve out a role, 20% of the snaps is his early upside.

Sixth Round
Will Howard was the obvious pick at this point and I love the patience the Steelers took to get a QB. There had to be something they didn't like with Sanders to pass on him so many times and still probably landed one of their favorite QBs in this year's draft.

Expectations: I don't have high expectations in terms of his ability as a starter, but he should have a long career as a backup.

Seventh Round
I would've went with Logan Brown and Tyler Batty, but these are the typical special teams moves we are used to seeing. Carson Bruener is the typical nepotism pick, but he is actually pretty athletic and was very productive at Washington. Donte Kent is by far the lowest-rated pick of the Steelers draft. He'll have to make it as a returner/gunner.

Expectations: There is a path to the roster as a special teams player for either one of these guys, but there will be plenty of competition.


Overall for year 1, here's what I think we got:
Starter: Kaleb Johnson
Key Rotational Depth: Derrick Harmon,
Spot snaps: Jack Sawyer, Yahya Black
Backup: Will Howard
Roster Bubble: Carson Bruener, Donte Kent
 
If you thought they were going to get a big name QB early then sure. Problem was there were no big name QB worth taking early. Jaxon Dart will be lucky to be KFP. If you wanted a boatload of Steelers type players.....I think they did well. NYG come talk to me in three years.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
First Round
The first-round board wasn't great if the Steelers passed on Harmon. I don't think Hampton was an option at RB and safety is like RB in the first round, so I think they pass on Starks. That would've left Golden or Pearce. There was a steep drop in talent at IDL after Harmon. He was the last top talent with the ability to develop as a pass rusher. It was a good pick at a high-priority position.

Expectations: If all goes as anticipated, he'll play 40-50% of the snaps as a rookie. I know a lot compared him to Heyward as a prospect, but that's unfair as he'll be a borderline Hall of Famer. I'll be impressed if he can reach Stephon Tuitt's peak and cool if he can match Brett Keisel's production.

Second Round
Not looking at the contract, just at the talent, Metcalf was such as fantastic use of the second-round pick. Unless they went with Mike Green (questionable), there was no high-end talent left.

Expectations: WR1 and instant impact. Immediately the best player on the offensive side of the ball.

Third Round
I was surprised there wasn't a run on RBs earlier. For me, Jeanty and Hampton were in that top tier followed by a group of Henderson, Judkins, and Johnson. It really came down to if the Steelers wanted to take an early flier on a QB or go with a position of need. The 2nd and 3rd round are sweet spots for good RBs and Johnson was just sitting there. Possibly the perfect RB-team fit for the Steelers and Johnson. Five backs went ahead of the Steelers in the 4th.

Expectations: He'll eventually win the starting job and produce in the way the Steelers hoped Najee Harris would when selected in the first round. More importantly, he will help the Steelers keep that strong 1A-1B punch by keeping Jaylen Warren in his specific role.

Fourth Round
Jack Sawyer was not who I expected, but the position was a spot I thought they'd take on Day 3. The Steelers need to go 4 deep at EDGE and Sawyer helped fill the void. I think they like the fact that he loves football and is a team captain.

Expectations: Limited snaps early, but increasing as the season progresses to help keep the starters fresh. Upside as a pass rusher limited due to his lack of athleticism compared to some of the top players, he'll put in the work to get there. Plus, if he can be a monster run stopper that is good enough.

Fifth Round
Karl Dunbar discussed in his PC that one way to get better along the DL is to get younger, so there's a good chance they will want Yahya Black to contribute as a rookie. He's massive and provides the Steelers with another piece along the DL. There were some higher upside players I liked here at G and DB, but I get the move.

Expectations: Part-time player who will be lucky to get on the field as a rookie. Even if he does carve out a role, 20% of the snaps is his early upside.

Sixth Round
Will Howard was the obvious pick at this point and I love the patience the Steelers took to get a QB. There had to be something they didn't like with Sanders to pass on him so many times and still probably landed one of their favorite QBs in this year's draft.

Expectations: I don't have high expectations in terms of his ability as a starter, but he should have a long career as a backup.

Seventh Round
I would've went with Logan Brown and Tyler Batty, but these are the typical special teams moves we are used to seeing. Carson Bruener is the typical nepotism pick, but he is actually pretty athletic and was very productive at Washington. Donte Kent is by far the lowest-rated pick of the Steelers draft. He'll have to make it as a returner/gunner.

Expectations: There is a path to the roster as a special teams player for either one of these guys, but there will be plenty of competition.


Overall for year 1, here's what I think we got:
Starter: Kaleb Johnson
Key Rotational Depth: Derrick Harmon,
Spot snaps: Jack Sawyer, Yahya Black
Backup: Will Howard
Roster Bubble: Carson Bruener, Donte Kent
Click to expand...
Here is something I stumbled across. These international Steelers fans watched tape pre-draft and came away with multiple viewpoints. I liked it as it wasn’t just one guys opinion piece.

Kudos to them.

 
Aussie_Steeler said:
Everyone's blowing smoke up the Browns arses because they got Sanders in the 5th round and Mason Graham at pick 5, whilst Steelers are being hammered by all the draftniks basically because they didn't draft Sanders.
Click to expand...
So they have two rookie QBs, 1 wasting space, missed out on bringing in another positional talent. 5 QBs currently, they will get rid of the reach around kid and they still will have 4. Probably can’t put either rookie on the PS so who gets the short end Wacco or OMG they Killed Kenny…. again?
 
slashsteel said:
So they have two rookie QBs, 1 wasting space, missed out on bringing in another positional talent. 5 QBs currently, they will get rid of the reach around kid and they still will have 4. Probably can’t put either rookie on the PS so who gets the short end Wacco or OMG they Killed Kenny…. again?
Click to expand...
The Browns pretty much wasted a chance to do something very good with this draft, even after trading out of No. 2 and passing on the only two elite players in this year's class. Drafting 2 RBs, a TE, and 2 QBs (including a massive reach on Gabriel) was such a waste for a horrible team. They'll also be in position to draft a QB in the first next year and probably will.
 
slashsteel said:
I can tell I shouldn’t be waste my time. The Sanders apologists agendas are strong.
Click to expand...

It was a flat out racist agenda in draft day when only 25 of the 143 drafted before SS were white. Thats only 17.5% for you mathematicians out there!
Where are all the DEI white players gonna come from? This is ridiculous! I’m tired of seeing the white male get endlessly whiteballed, looked past. not drafted, etc. by these owners cuz they fear a strong, white male presence. Disgusted 🤮

The time has come for the white male to finally get his day in one of these racist NFL drafts.
 
If I had to give an early grade likely a C+

That could obviously become an A or a F
It’s the draft and ya never know for a few years

Took a first rounder Harmon that could be great, but also could See limited PT in first season due to scheme and Will need surgery at some point for shoulder/labrum. So while the talent is there at a need position there is definitely a reason he fell into their laps. I like the pick but I’d only give it a B due to these concerns.

2nd rounder Metcalf: Grade C. that’s a **** load of coin for him, but the Steelers were desperate. Generally desperate moves don’t get As. Could have taken an equally talented receiver in the first at a much lower price tag and got there DL in the 2nd. Would’ve been way more cap friendly.

3rd rounder: Grade A. Got a solid player at a position of need late on day 2. That’s a win.

4th rounder: Grade B. Seems close to a luxury pick given the needs. He looks The part though and it’s good to have edge options. Never a bad thing to get a solid player in the 4th.

5th rounder: Grade C. A run stuffing Nt that likely could’ve been had later and will likely rarely see the field. Could even be a PS player if he can’t beat out Adams (where a team that would use him properly may steal him making it a wasted pick). There is upside potential in the right scheme: not the Steelers way to use the NT much though. This pick could easily become an F.

6th rounder: Grade B. A potential backup who could even challenge to start late in the draft. So while the pick is a B it shows how poorly the Steelers have managed the position.

7th rounders: D-F
Two bites and got a slow, small, unathletic nepotism pick and a guy that will be PS bait at best when there were OL, receivers and safeties all With upside still available. I gigantic meh at the end.

That makes the overall look like a C+ unless the coach uses guys properly (very unlikely) then maybe a B. If Howard is a miracle it becomes an A cuz any draft ya get your starting QB is an A. That’s the dream scenario. Likely just a big fat C, This crop looks super average.
 
The Steelers drafted according to what they felt addressed their needs not what Mel ******* Kiper or these other idiots think they should have done.
As for Sander, all 32 teams passed on him almost through five rounds until the goofy Browns selected him.
This so much sounds like a Haslam pick. I can hear it now. The old lady tells Jimmy… Let’s draft him and we’ll be called the hero for stopping his slide.
I think these GMs and executives really didn’t want any part of the Sanders clan and Deons interference.
This should be entertaining watching this unfold in Cleveland. Don’t worry, Neon Deon will let us know if he’s unhappy.
Glad we didn’t bring that circus to Pittsburgh.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
Then what’s the point of an early grade?
Click to expand...


I think his post way out-performed the explanation needed. Go back and re-read it with interest & attention being your friend.

He gave a grade and ann explanation of that grade PLUS a scenario of the down fall grade.

He made a great point with the in-depth of the post.

I don’t need to defend him, but if he ever needs AIR support, I’m there………………….



Salute the nation
 
I give them a Solid B+

Harmon was a solid 1st round pick who fell a bit because of an overblown injury concern...
It was value at a PON. id give this an A

The 2nd round pick was traded for a WR that is better than what was available at that point.. that doesnt get in the draft grade, but it is noteworthy

The 3rd rd RB is a good system fit. His value is disputed cause different scouting sources had him all over the place. But this filled a key depth spot and which of the rbs available there was debatable as to whom might have had better value.. this is a solid B grade. Maybe a Bplus

The 4th's OLB is a nice add for a couple reasons...
He is more like Golden, and can be a run stuffer OLB... and if Watt holds in, we are covered. The thing is, we dont want to be in the situation we need to draft some position or have to sign a ufa... getting BPA later in the draft and have some excess depth at a spot, thats a good thing...
Again, another B

In the 5th we double dip on the DL to get a guy with a true NT type frame. DL had so much top end talent that guys like this, who would have been upper middle round draft picks most years, was available in the lower rounds... this is another A grade for taking advantage of the depth in this draft at a PON.


In the sixth we get the developmental QB we needed. He isnt perfect. Sixth round Qbs rarely are... but he has an NFL arm and experience winning. He is a guy who likely ends up a long term backup here, but has an outside chance to be a starter... which is what we need... its a B grade pick

Both guys in the Seventh are basically ST guys ... neither were really great values.. they both get a C ...

So 2 A's, 3 B's and 2 C's thats a B average.. maybe a Bplus if you slightly weight it by round...
 
SteelerFan448 said:
The Browns pretty much wasted a chance to do something very good with this draft, even after trading out of No. 2 and passing on the only two elite players in this year's class. Drafting 2 RBs, a TE, and 2 QBs (including a massive reach on Gabriel) was such a waste for a horrible team. They'll also be in position to draft a QB in the first next year and probably will.
Click to expand...

I agree, the browns did about the least you could do with so many high picks.

Mason Graham will be a good DT but I doubt he'll be Aaron Donald. Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter could have been game changers.

Judkins over Henderson was nuts. Obviously they took the power back Judkins because they planned to take another scat back later. They already have Jerome Ford.

Fannin should be a decent #2 TE. Browns WRs are not great.

The Browns seems to be somewhat punting on this season to possibly draft a QB next year.
 
PFF has their early 2026 mock with 5 QBs in the top 14 picks. That's why all the fuss is being made about next year.

 
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