2017 Steelers Draft Review

With the Draft wrapped up, its time to review the actual selections the Steelers made. Like with the preview, all summaries are from nfl.com, but added with my brief take on how I think they will fit and produce with Pittsburgh.

1st Rd: OLB T.J Watt - Wisconsin (6'4", 252lbs)

2016: 2nd All-American, 1st All-B10, 63tckls/15.5TFL, 11.5scks

Combine: 4.69 40, 21reps, 37in vert jump

Strengths: Attacks blockers with early arm extension and utilizes push-pull technique. Has outstanding hand play. Always ready to leap into passing lanes & deflect. Strikes fast and early to create leverage points. Functional in space when asked to cover. Consistent, wrap-up finisher as a tackler.

Weaknesses: Short strider who lacks explosion out of stance. Foot quickness is average. Plays with narrow base. Needs to play with more consistent bend to play through redirection by O-Line. Pass rush menu will need more options.

Comp: Paul Kruger

Grade: 5.88 (Could become an early starter)

My Take: The Steelers needed a pass rusher, along with secondary help, and they tackled the former with this 1st round choice. James Harrison/Ryan Shazier/Bud Dupree and T.J Watt could become quite a force if all are healthy. T.J is striving to be his own man, and create an identity beyond his brother J.J, so that could be a positive driving force. He's fairly new to the position, so there will be some growth needed, but the tools are all there as he showed in his breakout final year with Wisconsin.

2nd Rd: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - USC (6'1", 215lbs)

2016: 2nd All-P12, 70rec/914yds/10TDs

Combine: 4.54 40, 15reps, 32.5in vert jump

Strengths: No concerns working over the middle. Works back to the ball as aggressively as he needs to when defenders attempt to ball-hawk. Searches & sinks into optimal openings. Effective use of frame to shield CBs from contested catches. Has confident hands. Tremendous ball tracker. Body control to twist & contort in mid-air. Plays with sideline awareness. Aggressive runner after the catch, a reliable blocker.

Weaknesses: Missing sudden acceleration out of his cuts. Rarely shows a second gear to run under deep throws. Coasts when turning to find the deep ball rather than maintaining play speed. Can be slow to release against press coverage. Plays with a delayed open to the QB on comeback routes.

Comp: Anquan Boldin

Grade: 5.89 (Could become an early starter)

My Take: A bit of a surprise to go with a WR early with Bryant reinstated, but he did miss last year, so rust is certainly possible. Throughout the back-half of last season AB was the only true reliable WR, so JuJu should be able to step in as a #3, and provide more opportunities.

3rd Rd: CB Cameron Sutton - Tennessee (5'11", 188lbs)

2016: 23tckls/2 TFL, 1INT/4PBUs

Combine: 4.52 40/ 11reps/ 34in vert jump

Strengths: Man-cover corner with feet to mirror & match off the line of scrimmage. Desired fluidity of movement with ability to open and run from backpedal. Good acceleration. Soft hands and smart angles to the ball. Punt-return talent.

Weaknesses: Too passive in press coverage. Plays a little tall in backpedal. Issues with his back to the QB, late to turn and find the ball. Unreliable in run support.

Comp: B.W Webb

Grade: 5.65 (Backup/eventual starter)

My Take: A somewhat under-looked CB in this draft, Sutton should get a chance to see regular action. He seems to be a pretty dynamic corner with good acceleration.

3rd Rd: RB James Conner - Pittsburgh (6'1", 233lbs)

2016: 1st All-ACC, 216att/1,092yds/16TDs

Combine: 4.65 40, 20reps, 29in vert jump

Strengths: Carries heavy momentum behind pads at finish. Drops shoulder to punish final tackler. Creates for himself through brute force. Excellent contact balance. Willing to leave feet and sacrifice body near the goal line. Willing blocker in pass protection. Ability to come out of backfield in wheel routes, swing passes & outs.

Weaknesses: Runs with stiff hips and heavy legs. All power, no finesse. Average lateral movement. Can be a little slow to process moving parts in front of him. Hands a little stiff as a pass catcher.

Comp: T.J Duckett

Grade: 5.40 (Backup/eventual starter)

My Take: A determined leader, he fits with the Steelers as a big power back. He has a lot of potential, and should make a nice combo with Bell in the immediate future.

4th Rd: QB Joshua Dobbs - Tennessee (6'3", 216lbs)

2016: 2,946 pass yds, 27TDs/12ints,  831 rush yds. 12TDs

Combine: 4.64 40, 33in vert jump

Strengths: Ball handling and release quickness to get the ball out early. Tight spiral. Eye-catching deep ball accuracy. Good mental toughness. Explosive ability as a runner. 

Weaknesses: Below average delivery balance. Footwork is uneven. Throwing motion causes him to push some throws. Decision making not where it needs to be.

Grade: 5.39 (backup/eventual starter)

My Take: A solid mobile QB who should have a chance to develop behind Big Ben. Given that Ben rarely ever plays a full 16 games, Dobbs has a decent chance to see the field if he can beat out Landry Jones as the back-up.

5th Rd: DB Brian Allen - Utah (6'3", 215lbs)

2016: 4INTs

Combine: 4.48 40, 15reps, 34.5in vert jump

Strengths: Disrupts release of the WR. Comfortable in bump and run coverage. Size casts a tall shadow from trail coverage that makes it challenging to complete the deep touch throw over him. Showed impressive long speed at the combine.

Weaknesses: Ducks head into contact and rarely squares up target. Ball skills aren't where they need to be. Slow to find the deep throw and make adjustments. Hips & feet are clunky when forced to open suddenly in off-coverage and loses balance too often in transitions forward.

Grade: 5.13 (back end of the roster)

My Take: Still raw at the position, moving over from WR. He could be a surprise though as he develops.

6th Rd: LS Colin Holba - Louisville (6'4", 248lbs)

Combine: 5.19 40, 28in vert jump

Strengths: Good velocity on both short & longer snaps, consistent placement. Has a rangy frame.

Weaknesses: Could benefit from added strength. Placement of punt snaps was a little low at times. Gives ground and allows push through his edges on field goals.

Grade: 4.98

My Take: Provides competition for veteran Greg Warren, though I don't why they couldn't have gotten him in the 7th or as an UDFA.

7th Rd: OLB Keion Adams - Western Michigan (6'2", 245lbs)

2016: 2nd All-MAC, 18TFL, 7.5scks

Strengths: Feet are light & bounding. Always works to an edge against blockers. Loose hips to flip around the edge. Inside counter spin is a dangerous weapon. Features big closing burst. Quickness out of his stance to shoot gaps. Diagnoses wide flowing runs quickly.

Weaknesses: Can be engulfed by size and driven off of his position. Lacks consistent hand usage at the point of attack. Missing a go to counter move. Willingness to work around blocks on the edge could create wider running lanes.

Comp: Arthur Moats

Grade: 5.31 (Backup/eventual starter)

My Take: A valuable 7th rd pick, he should provide solid depth. He has a good chance to make the roster.