Steelers biggest draft regrets over the past ten years

Terry Who over Hyde in the secondary

The 2013 draft was not one to write home about for the Steelers, as they added one of the biggest draft busts in the first round (he’ll be mentioned below) and only getting production out of Le’Veon Bell before he signed elsewhere last season. One of the biggest question marks entering that season was finding talent in the secondary, yet the Steelers waited until the fifth round to draft Terry Hawthorne, who wouldn’t even make the initial roster. Even more disappointing, pro bowler Micah Hyde was drafted nine picks later.

Hyde has gone on to become a versatile DB over his career. Initially, he was a CB before making the transition to S, where he has since thrived at. That versatility would have been helpful, as the Steelers DB room was weak and aging. While the Steelers did draft Shamarko Thomas a round earlier, he was a natural SS, while Hyde has the versatility to play almost anywhere in the secondary.

Had the Steelers opted for Hyde over Hawthorne, the secondary could have transition much more smoothly when Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, and Ryan Clark all departed from the team. Instead, the Steelers secondary was in limbo for years, becoming a target for opposing offenses to pick on. Adding Hyde would have alleviated some of those issues and allowed for a centerpiece for the secondary to grow from.