Grading the Steelers 2014 draft class
The Steelers 2014 draft class is one that fans should not be quick to forget. Like every draft class, it didn’t come without a few big misses. However, it was probably the best draft since 2010, when the Steelers hit on Maurkice Pouncey, Emmanuel Sanders, Jason Worilds, and oh yeah, Antonio Brown.
After observing the 2014 draft class over the past four years, I have given each player a grade. Keep in mind that I grade these draft picks based on how good they are in terms of where they were drafted. Here is what I came up with.
1st Round – Ryan Shazier, LB
Grade: A
When Shazier went down with a spinal injury, it was devastating for everyone around the organization. On the field, Shazier possesses unmatched speed and quickness at the linebacker position. Though he’s a bit light, Shazier excelled in the NFL with his explosion and the ability to make plays.
Much like the great Troy Polamalu, Shazier didn’t always guess right, but the good plays he made drastically outweighed the bad. In his last 14 regular season games, Shazier intercepted the ball 5 times. He’s also responsible for 7 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
If this was to be Shazier’s final season in the NFL, then he finished with two consecutive Pro Bowl selections by the age of 25, and will have his name mentioned among the great Steelers linebackers in their impressive history. Fans will always think ‘what could have been’ for one of the most athletic linebackers the league has ever seen.
2nd Round – Stephon Tuitt, DE/DL
Grade: A-
If I were to tell you that a defensive player by the age of 22 already had 7.5 sacks and an interception, you would probably say that must be an edge rusher. Not in this case. Though he’s not considered a flashy player, Tuitt stands taller than 6’5” and weights upwards of 300 pounds.
Stephon “Do It” Tuitt is a player that will probably never get the recognition he deserves. Most 5-technique defensive lineman aren’t going to put up crazy stats, and he has played in the shadow of his now All-Pro counterpart, Cameron Heyward. However, Tuitt has been a rock-solid pick for the Steelers who has proved over the years to be one of the best defenders on the team. Cam Heyward himself admitted that Tuitt was much further along than he was at his age.
Going into his 5th year on his 2nd NFL contract, Tuitt is still just 24 years old and hasn’t reached his potential just yet. I’m not the only Tuitt supporter. Pro Football Focus also thinks highly of the Steelers defensive lineman, as Tuitt earned an 86.1 grade on the season this year (just a hair lower than Heyward’s 88.9 grade).
3rd Round – Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR
Grade: F
If it weren’t for such a bad 3rd round pick, the 2014 draft class had a chance to be historic for the Steelers. Dri Archer wowed at the combine with his 4.26s 40-yard dash. However, he was never able to translate that speed to success on the field.
Archer never seemed to play to that speed when given the opportunity and poor field vision seemed to play a factor. The Steelers had a difficult time trying to find a role for Archer. Because of this, the 5’8” gadget player dressed for just 20 games before he was released by Pittsburgh. What’s even more frustrating is the fact that Devonta Freeman was selected just 6 picks after Archer.
4th Round – Martavis Bryant, WR
Grade: A
With the 118th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Martavis Bryant. This was, in my opinion, the steal of the draft. The Steelers got a 6’4” speed demon who proved to be one of the best deep threats in the league towards the end of the 4th round.
Martavis has made a tremendous impact for Pittsburgh in the games that he’s played. In his first 4 NFL games, Bryant caught six touchdowns. What’s even more impressive, is that Martavis managed to pull in 15 touchdowns in his first 18 NFL games. How many 4th rounders do you know who could do that.
If not for the suspensions, I would give Martavis an A+ without hesitation (based on value of draft position). Regardless of what the Steelers elect to do with Bryant after next season, he was still an absolute steal in this draft. Here are some of the names that were drafted ahead of Martavis:
5th Round – Shaquille Richardson, CB
Grade: F
I remember watching the big cornerback in Latrobe, wondering when he was going to impress. As it sometimes works out in the NFL, Richardson didn’t make the initial cut and never dressed for a game. Not a great pick on the part of the Steelers.
5th Round (Comp.) – Wesley Johnson, OT
Grade: D-
Though Wesley Johnson has managed 24 career starts, none of them came for the Steelers. Johnson is now a full-time starter for the New York Jets, but he managed to dress just two games while in Pittsburgh.
6th Round – Jordan Zumwalt, LB
Grade: F
Time and again, it seemed like a window would open and Zumwalt had a chance to elevate himself to the active roster. However, it wasn’t meant to be. Zumwalt never cracked the final 53 for the Steelers.
6th Round – Daniel McCullers, DT
Grade: C+
McCullers was a mountain of a man who had some fans getting excited. Though he possessed rare size and strength, he lacked the leverage, quickness, and physical demeanor to really succeed in the NFL.
Though he’s not a great player by any means, McCullers (a former 6th round pick) has managed to stick around for 4 seasons with the Steelers and has played in 42 games. He hasn’t been a difference maker when he’s been on the field, but this wasn’t a bad pick for the Steelers, all things considered.
7th Round – Rob Blanchflower, TE
Grade: F
I really thought at the time (despite being a 7th round draft choice) that Blanchflower would have a chance to make the final 53-man roster. He was a well-balanced tight end who could block and catch. However, Blanchflower was riddled with nagging injuries early and was never able to overcome the odds. The Massachusetts tight end was cut before he ever made his way to a game-day roster.
Overall Draft Grade: A-
Don’t let some of these poor grades fool you. Anytime a team can strike gold on three out of their first four picks in the draft, it is going to be successful. Though the Steelers had 5 clear misses in this draft, the success of hitting on Ryan Shazier, Stephon Tuitt, and Martavis Bryant more than makeup for it.
Ultimately, the Steelers have one of the league’s most important linebackers, a solid building block along the defensive line, and an athletic wide receiver with speed to burn. I’ll chalk that draft up as a win any day.
