Steelers Rookie Grades: Dotson, not Claypool, atop the class

Carlos Davis

Grade: B-

Another grade jump for the Steelers class, as the Steelers got some decent production from their final pick. Carlos Davis did what many thought was the unthinkable this past offseason: he beat out Daniel McCullers for a roster spot. He spent the first half of the season as an inactive, but injuries ahead of the Cowboys game forced him to be active. Since then, he has served as a bit player, and while certainly not dominant, he has looked like a capable run stuffer.

It seems like the Steelers believe this as well since they began dressing him over Isaiah Buggs towards the end of the season. Buggs is a far better pass rusher, but Davis seems to have more integrity when going up against the run. Both players had their bright spots, but Davis was far less of a liability in the run game. Considering current nose tackle Tyson Alualu is set to be an elderly free agent, having Davis as a base nose tackle candidate is big for the team.

I mulled giving him a “C+” as his play was far from perfect, but considering he was a seventh-round pick with little expectations, I think he warrants the higher grade. Moving forward, he will need to get a little stronger and try to develop a pass rush move if he wants to be a complete starter, but even if he only becomes a decent run stuffer, the Steelers hit with this pick. His early returns have been promising, and it was one of the better picks the team has had in the seventh round as of late.