The Steelers 2016 Draft Class is set including the seven draft picks and undrafted rookie free agents.
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 Monday, May 2nd.
They followed the plan
It was no secret that the Steelers’ draft plans included going heavy at the defensive holes. Their free agency proved it with the signings of Ryan Harris and Ladarius Green and the draft being ripe with defensive depth put the plan of drafting to fit the needs on defense into play.
The Trib’s Mark Kaboly remarks that we may not know for a couple of years how well the Steelers plan of using five of their seven 2016 draft picks on defensive players worked out. Kaboly isn’t certain that this particular draft class can contribute to a Steelers team that came close to reaching the AFC Championship game last season.
Recapping the NFL Draft weekend on social media
New boys in the Burgh. @_audi8 @umdsfinest21 @Jay_MostWanted pic.twitter.com/vfD6zImn32
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) April 30, 2016
Think #SteelersNation is excited to see these guys? pic.twitter.com/8l9Gg1YGSv
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 30, 2016
Our first-round pick from 2016 meeting our first-round pick from 1969. #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/dMBj4mDrQg
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 30, 2016
I'm a Pittsburgh Steelers!!! Excited & ready to get to work @steelers
— SauceGod.D.A. (@DAYERS_LOE) April 30, 2016
Im so happy that the Steelers organization has picked me. Thank you so much #steelernation
— travisfeeney (@dawgs41feeney) April 30, 2016
I'm a Pittsburgh Steeler @steelers !!!!!
— Tyler Matakevich (@44_Matakevich) April 30, 2016
So blessed and grateful for this opportunity. #SteelersNation
— Sean Davis Jr. (@umdsfinest21) April 30, 2016
Starting rookies
While Kaboly doesn’t seem too confident that these draft picks can contribute from Day 1 with the Steelers the PPG’s Ed Bouchette gives us who he sees as potential starters from this draft class. Bouchette has Mike Tomlin’s comments about the possibilities of the first three draft picks getting a chance to start this season.
Next: Steelers Fourth Round Grade
"“I believe it’s realistic. That’s why we chose them where we chose them. But they’ll have to earn it, and we’ll give them the opportunity to do that.” – Mike Tomlin"
There was a time when it was unheard of for the Steelers to start rookies on defense but those days are long gone. The Steelers have started four rookies over the past three seasons on defense with varying degrees of success including linebackers Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree along with defensive end Stephon Tuitt.