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Steelers News: Rookie Free Agents, Burns, Grade

By Kim Myers

Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Steelers 2016 Draft Class is set including the seven draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents.

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SC_Header_Large 5 /

The Steelers draft class will soon assemble for rookie minicamp and OTA’s are right around the corner. While the Steelers get ready to prepare for the 2016 season we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Sunday, May 1st.

Undrafted Rookie Free Agents signed

Once the dust finally settled in Chicago to wrap up the 2016 NFL Draft the matter of building the remaining 90-man offseason roster was at hand for the Steelers. The coaches and scouts got on the phone and came to terms with 10 rookie free agents.

The Steelers split between five offensive players, four defensive players and one specialist. The list includes DL Johnny Maxey of Mars Hill, LB Tyriq McCord of Miami, P Will Monday of Duke, DL Giorgio Newberry of Florida State, RB Christian Powell of Colorado, TE David Reeves of Duke, TE Jay Rome of Georgia, OL Quinton Schooley of NC State, WR Canaan Severin of Virginia, and DL Devaunte Sigler of Jacksonville State.

Riskiest move

Everyone, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expected the Steelers to take Houston cornerback William Jackson III with the 25th overall pick in the draft. When the Bengals snagged him with the 24th pick Fowler says the Steelers risked it by taking Artie Burns.

Fowler suggests that Burns was largely considered a day-2 defensive back but he does have a high-reward to his riskiness. Burns played primarily a bump-and-run style while the Steelers played primarily zone coverage so something has to be tweaked to accommodate Burns. He is a playmaker so the upside can be plenty. What do you think of the pick, Steeler Nation?

Overall draft grade

Chad Reuter, Draft analyst for the NFL handed out quick grades for all of the teams following the 2016 NFL Draft. It’s tough to grade a draft right after the picks are made because none of these players have even put on a uniform for their teams yet but we’re not in the business of patience.

Next: Steelers Draft: Tyler Matakevich

Reuter gives the Steelers 2016 draft class an overall A- grade calling the filling of the holes in the secondary and the third-round pick of Javon Hargrave “no-brainers”. The Steelers filled needs and supplied depth with this draft, you can’t ask for much more as a fan.

What grade would you give the Steelers’ 2016 Draft?

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