Everyone knows the Pittsburgh Steelers have a strong history of building through the NFL Draft. Over the years, this organization has built six Super Bowl-winning teams, resulting from great draft classes. Times change, and the Steelers have become aggressive on the trade front and through free agency in recent years. Their poor draft choices have set them back despite their change in philosophy.
From 2021 to 2024, Pittsburgh has witnessed its favorite team select four first-rounders. None of them have become top players at their positions yet. While all four have found ways of sticking in the NFL, none of them have proven to be great first-round picks. There is time for these players to turn things around in their careers, but time is fleeting.
If the Steelers want to get to the promised land, they must improve in the first round.
Grading the Pittsburgh Steelers' underwhelming first-round picks in the NFL Draft over the past four years
2024 NFL Draft: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
Grade: C+
It's hard to apply a grade to Troy Fautanu since he was their top pick in last year's draft. He's still a future piece of the offensive line, despite missing most of his rookie season due to injury. Fautanu will be the starting right tackle, and he should be a good player. They ignored a red flag with this offensive lineman when he was in the draft.
His injury concerns allowed him to slip to the Steelers' top choice, which many thought wasn't a big deal. It turns out that Fautanu should've taken notice of the doctors' orders since he suffered a season-ending injury shortly after earning the starting job. He should only get better with a year of recovery under his belt. No one is worried about this player, but he needs to stay healthy.
Players they could've selected: Quinyon Mitchell (CB), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR), Xavier Worthy (WR)
2023 NFL Draft: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Grade: D
You can apply most of the blame surrounding Broderick Jones's failures to the Steelers' coaching staff. Pittsburgh traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to become their premiere left tackle moving forward. Instead of messing with Dan Moore Jr., they forced a raw prospect into a starting spot on the opposite side. Jones had to play on the wrong side for his entire NFL career.
This is a massive season coming up for the Georgia product. Moore left in free agency, and Fautanu will play at the right tackle position. Jones will move into a spot where he should be comfortable. This past campaign was a disaster for this player, but hopefully, he will catch on by moving from right to left. If he struggles this year, the Steelers need to cut their losses.
Players they could've selected: Jordan Addison (WR), Christian Gonzalez (CB), Zay Flowers (WR),
READ MORE: Grading Steelers free agency period: The good, the bad, and the ugly
2022 NFL Draft: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Grade: F
There have been fewer infamous picks in the Steelers' draft history than Kenny Pickett. Many thought there could've been a similarity between Pickett and Dan Marino since both went to Pitt, but those two couldn't have any more different career paths. Pickett was a disaster from the moment he stepped into the Steelers facility. There is plenty to blame, but it falls on Pickett's shoulders.
Matt Canada was his offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, and you can shove blame in his direction. He was one of the worst at his job in franchise history. That didn't do Pickett any favors to become the next franchise quarterback, but he would never become that. He was overdrafted in a quarterback class filled with poor players. The Steelers had better options available at this pick.
Players they could've selected: Trent McDuffie (CB), Quay Walker (LB), Tyler Smith (OL)
2021 NFL Draft: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Grade: B-
It's sad, but Najee Harris was their best first-rounder in the past four draft classes. Many didn't think too highly of Harris as he departed in free agency this year, but he was a reliable player. He wasn't going to be a franchise-altering player at his position, but he's someone you could count on.
Najee would make some bad decisions as a runner but played tough and struggled behind a poor offensive line.
Pittsburgh will have to adjust to life without Harris, but they should find more explosive plays after this divorce. Harris couldn't land the 'home run' speed required to be a star at his position. Mike Tomlin loved his 'three yards and a cloud of dust' style, but that logic is outdated. Harris was their best pick in this time frame, but it's disappointing they couldn't locate better talent.
