College PFF grades for each 2019 Steelers draft pick

Pro Football Focus graded each Pittsburgh Steelers rookie from their previous college football season.

The NFL Draft has long past by now, but Pro Football Focus graded each Steelers rookie from their previous college football season.

PFF 49ers is a step ahead of the game. Already examining San Francisco’s match-up against the Steelers in week 3 this season, PFF 49ers put together a tweet that listed the grades of each of the Steelers’ nine 2019 draft selections:

Surprisingly Devin Bush’s grade of 85.0 last season isn’t at the top of this list. In fact two Steelers rookies graded out higher, according to Pro Football Focus, last season in college football.

Justin Layne earned a very solid grade of 87.1, while Sutton Smith topped this list with an eye-popping 91.3 grade last season.

Per value, I thought Layne was the Steelers best draft choice this year, I had a fringe first round grade on Layne before the draft, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper would concur.

I recently wrote an article on just how impressive Sutton Smith was at Northern Illinois – collecting the most pressures in college football over the past two seasons.

Benny Snell’s grade was a respectable 80.4, as he pounded his way for 5.3 yards per carry against SEC defenses. Likewise, TE Zach Gentry earned a decent grade of 74.2 despite just two years at the tight end position.

To my surprise, Diontae Johnson’s grade was lower than I anticipated it being, as PFF seemed so high on him when Pittsburgh drafted Johnson in the 3rd round.

On the flip side, Isaiah Buggs and Ulysees Gilbert earned grades that only reached the upper 60’s, and 7th round draft choice, Derwin Gray earned the lowest score of just a 55.7 grade last year.

College grades don’t translate over to the NFL field, as James Washington could tell you. Each of these players will have to prove themselves all over again as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.