Tuesday, May 1, 2018

2018 Steelers Draft Review





1st Rd (28)

Terrell Edmunds  S-Va. Tech (6'1", 217lbs)
















combine: 4.47s 40, 41.5in vert jump

2017: 3rd All-ACC, 59tckls, 2INTs

strengths: A team leader. Has quick change of direction. Has sudden burst from lateral transitions. Reliable hands. Has desired pursuit speed as a chase defender. Size & speed to offer immediate help on return coverage.

weaknesses: Will take the worst of a collision. Inconsistent angles to the ball. Too aggressive to route fakes. Lacks desired instincts & feel for deep coverage. Slow to read QB. Fails to find the football when his back is to the ball.

comp: DeShawn Shead

grade: 5.59 (Chance to become a starter)



2nd (60)

James Washington  WR-Oklahoma St (5'11", 213lbs)














combine: 4.54s 40, 14reps, 34.5in vert jump

2017: Bilentikoff Finalist, 1st All-B12, 74rec/1,549yds/13TDs

strengths: Escapes press with good initial quickness. Surprises CB's with build-up speed & consistently gets by them. Accelerates from stem on post routes. Tracks the ball like a center-fielder. Adjusts speed to match the ball flight. Comes down with the deep ball with the best of receivers. Flashes runaway speed after the catch.

weaknesses: Exposure to the route tree is limited. Gives away comeback route with more deliberate vertical push in his route. Footwork inside routes feels clunky with a lack of timing. Lacks short area footwork & suddenness to win underneath against tight man coverage. Not a smooth, easy pass catcher. Has issues contesting catches on the 1st and 2nd levels.

comp: Corey Coleman

grade: 5.76 (Chance to become a starter)


3rd (76)

Mason Rudolph  QB-Oklahoma St (6'5", 235lbs)













combine: 4.9s 40, 26in vert jump

2017: 2nd All-B12, 4,904yds 65% compl, 37TDs/9INTs

strengths: Stands tall in the pocket. Lets routes develop. Slides in the pocket for clean launch points.  Keeps eyes trained downfield. Puts air under deep throws. Reads safeties & moves to his progressions accordingly. Ran zone reads around the endzone.

weaknesses: Over-strides. Rarely drives his lower body through the throw. Needs to throw with better timing & placement on comebacks & outs. Ball placement & decision making can run askew when he scrambles. Inexperienced as a rollout passer. Has ball security issues.

comp: Christian Ponder

grade: 5.66 (Chance to become a starter)




3rd (92)

Chuks Okorafor  OT-Western Michigan (6'6", 320lbs)













combine: 5.31s 40, 19reps, 23.5in vert jump

2017: 1st All-MAC

strengths: Uses mass to clog lanes against stunts. Lands hands where he aims them in the run game. Shows ability to snatch & torque defender out of gap. Good 2-step quickness out of his stance. Patient when shooting his hands. Natural power sit & anchor against a bull rush. Power for proper redirects in pass protection or in the run game.

weaknesses: Awkward out of stance as a zone blocker. Limited lower body bend. Poor leverage makes him inconsistent as a drive blocker. Struggles to change direction. Topples off-balance in the run game. Instincts are below average. Doesn't have the feel for what opponents are going to do.

comp: Donovan Smith

grade: 5.60 (Chance to become a starter)




5th (148)

Marcus Allen  S-Penn St (6'2", 202lbs)
















combine: 15reps, 37in vert jump

2017: 71tckls/1INT

strengths: Meets blockers with jarring hands. A forceful striker. Flashes into backside lanes. Good mirror when working as a downhill tackler against inside runs. Can match-up with TE's in space.

weaknesses: Lacks instincts & anticipation. Missing footwork & burst. Tight-hipped finisher. Too many false steps in coverage. Lacks fluidity in space.

comp: Clayton Geathers

grade: 5.60 (Chance to become a starter)




5th (165)

Jaylen Samuels  TE/RB-NC State (6'0", 225lbs)















combine: 4.54s 40, 18reps, 34.5in vert jump

2017: 1st All-ACC, 69rec/551yds/4TDs, 71car/383yds/11TDs

strengths: Roster flexibility thanks to unique versatility. An "all purpose" player. Used as a zone-scheme runner, on jet-sweeps, bubble screens, slot, outside receiver, and "wildcat". Can make the 1st tackler miss in space. Active with off-hand to swipe away arm tackles. Separates from LB's. Able to drop low & snare low throws. Has kick cover talent & return experience.

weaknesses: Doesn't show tenacity to help running game as a H-back. Average play speed & short area quickness. Needs more vertical push into routes. Has tight hips. Route-running is raw. Struggles to pull in throws outside his frame. Too many drops, and focus issues.

grade: 5.49 (Backup/Special teams potential)



7th (246)

Joshua Frazier  DT-Alabama (6'3", 321lbs)














combine: 21reps

2017: 15tckls, 1FF

strengths: Aggressive upfield push. Desired power in lower half. Able to eat blocks or play through blocker's edge. Able to stack & shed as a 2-gapper.

weaknesses: Never broke into the regular rotation. Minimal production. Space takes over play-maker. Plays at a lethargic pace. Rarely gains quick advantages. Offer no pass-rush potential.

grade: 4.95 (Should be in a training camp)

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