Grading Steelers 2019 rookie jersey numbers
By Tommy Jaggi
For those of you waiting to see what numbers your favorite draft picks would sport, wait no longer.
Yesterday, Steelers Director of Communications, Burt Lauter, released the jersey numbers of each player at Steelers Rookie Minicamp.
Here’s what each of their draft picks are currently wearing for the Steelers (as well as my meaningless grades on their number choices):
LB Devin Bush – #55
Devin Bush is rocking number 55 for the Steelers. There hasn’t been a lot of great players to do this for the Pittsburgh, as Bush joins Joey Porter as one of the most notable players to represent number 55 in the Steel city.
Like drafting Bush, this number is a great choice. I’m not a big odd number guy, but multiples of five are great.
Grade: A+
WR Diontae Johnson – #18
Well, I can’t say that I love it, but Diontae Johnson has a chance to create a name for himself with number 18.
I think the fad of numbers in the teens has gone on too long. I would have picked an 80’s number for Johnson, but that’s just me.
Grade: F
CB Justin Layne – #31
The tall, long corner out of Michigan State elected to go with number 31 on the Steelers, and I don’t disprove.
Cornerbacks are always looking for number 21, 23, or 24. I like the decision to go in the 30’s for Justin Layne.
Grade: B+
RB Benny Snell Jr. – #24
Who doesn’t like a good number 24? To be honest, I’m not a huge fan.
24 is one of the most cliche numbers in all of football. I would have liked a battering ram like Snell to show off his true colors with a number in the 40’s (I know I’m the minority here).
Grade: C
TE Zach Gentry – #83
For obvious reasons, I would have like to have seen a 6’8” tight end representing a number in the 40’s. But instead of looking like the world’s tallest full back, Gentry went with a number in the 80’s.
Heath Miller was the greatest Steelers tight end to ever wear the number 83, so it kind of seems like a bold move by Gentry. Hopefully he wears it well.
Grade: B+
LB Sutton Smith – #51
To be honest, I would have love to have seen a small, fiery linebacker like Sutton Smith wearing a number in the 90’s (99 would have been perfect). However, 51 is a solid play.
Grade: A-
DL Isaiah Buggs – #96
Buggs fills right in where L.T. Walton left off – wearing number 96. It should suit the big guy well.
Grade: B
LB Ulysees Gilbert – #54
I had Gilbert pegged as a ’40’s’ guy, but he proved me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with a good 54, but he could have looked even faster in in number 41.
Derwin Gray – #77
Number 77 is a solid fit for a big guy like Derwin Gray. May it serve him well.
Grade: A