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Re-grading the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2018 draft class

By Brandon Kring

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Strong Safety Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Strong Safety Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 23: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 23: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a touchdown during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Jaylen Samuels

– 2018 stats: 56 rush, 256 yards, 0 TD, 26 rec, 199 yards, 3 TD

Samuels was a very intriguing pick to me. He was a sort-of utility man in college playing running back, fullback and tight end. He was mainly a receiver but he did show good run after the catch.

I believe his ability to make defenders miss as well as receive the football, coupled with his size, made the Steelers want to convert him to a running back in the NFL.

He played very sparingly until James Conner went down with an ankle sprain late in the year. Samuels stepped in and had a rough game against Oakland.

New England was up next and fans feared the worst once Conner was again ruled out. Samuels stepped up huge and had his first career 100-yard rushing game at any level of his career.

He was a huge part of why Pittsburgh was able to finally beat New England. He showed very capable of being a number two back as well as an asset in the passing game moving forward.

With the team losing Le’Veon Bell in the offseason, Samuels’ progress is key to figuring out the backfield’s future heading into 2019 and beyond. He and Conner could form a very good thunder and lightning style backfield duo in the future.

Re-grade: B+

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