With the Steelers draft wrapped up, here are some early grades based on who the team selected over the weekend.
The Steelers didn’t hide their goals in this draft, as the team ran with Art Ronney’s mandate to fix the run game. The first four picks did just that, as all were dedicated to beefing up this blocking unit to get their prized rookie running back space to move.
While official grades can’t be had until a few years from now, these are purely based on how the prospect fits the team and what their value was based on where they were drafted. At the end of the day, I hope all of these players play better than what my perceived grade was right after the draft. With all that said, here are my early grades for the Steelers 2021 draft class.
Round 1: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Grade: C+
Let me start off my grade by once again saying that Najee Harris was the best running back prospect in the draft. The fact that he fits the Steelers scheme and was the best player at his position is the reason this grade didn’t earn a “D” or lower. Harris should be a fine player at the NFL as he runs with good power and can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield.
That said, running backs in the first have done very little in recent years to improve their team’s records overall. While Harris should boost the running game, will that be enough to cover the other issues this team could have addressed instead? I would have to guess no. As well, Harris is a bit older and has a lot of wear and tear from the college level. I’m not sure he can hold up health-wise over the duration of his rookie deal based on the heavy usage he received at Alabama. As a player, this grade sits somewhere around a B. The issues are his value and longevity on the team.
Round 2: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn St.
Grade: B+
On the flip side, the Steelers getting Pat Freiermuth here seems like better value for the team. I thought he was going to be an early second-round pick, but he fell to pick 55 and right into the team’s lap. They did not wait long to take him either, showing a clear love for the prospect. This was evident pre-draft as the team was all over Penn St. during their pro day.
As a player, Freiermuth is billed as a complete tight end as opposed to an Eric Ebron type of receiver. While his blocking needs some work, he has the build and will-to as a run blocker. He struggled to see the field last year during a shortened season and was also a victim of a mediocre Penn St. passing attack. He will need some time to develop as a pro, but he shouldn’t be anything more than a compliment to Ebron in year one.
The only thing keeping his grade down is that the team opted for a tight end before a top center despite that being their bigger need. While this may limit the instant improvement of the offensive line, Freiermuth can still aid in improving the run game. The Steelers didn’t have a great run-blocking tight end for the past few years. If Freiermuth can improve that aspect of his game, the team could see more success running the ball with him on the field.
Round 3: Kendrick Green, OC, Illinois
Grade: B
My initial reaction to Kendrick Green being the pick wasn’t great, as I had personally been pulling for center Quinn Meinerz due to his mauling nature in the run game. While Green has a physical nature, I do think he is slightly below Meinerz overall. That said, Green has a physical nature to him as well and should develop well as a run blocker going forward.
The two primary issues I have with Green being the pick are his size and his natural position. While his 305 pounds that he weighed in at is fine, he is a little short at just a smidge under 6’2. While being tall isn’t necessary for the center position, for a team that wants a mauling run blocker, Green isn’t an ideal fit.
As well, he played mostly at guard while in school. He was projected to move to center based on his size, but that doesn’t mean he is center ready as of week one. He will need a few games at least to better learn the position. I do get some Kevin Dotson vibes based on his violent blocking, and like Dotson, I think Green will serve as a reserve for the most part year one. I like the pick overall, but I struggle to see him beating out B.J. Finney as of now.
Round 4: Dan Moore Jr., OT, Texas A&M
Grade: B-
Another pick that had me scratching my head at first, Dan Moore Jr. benefits from great athleticism and size as a tackle. He lacks proper technique and physicality as a blocker, but he has all the pieces in place to be a developmental tackle. He is in a good spot as well right now, as the team has enough depth at tackle to allow Moore to take this season as a redshirt year.
Long term, I think Moore projects well as a swing tackle and sixth offensive lineman for the team. If he really maxes out, he could become a starter, but I genuinely believe that is a few years away if he ever truly gets there. My biggest complaint is that he was projected to go a little later and the team still ignored defense here. That said, Moore has plenty of traits to like as he works as a developmental prospect.
Buddy Johnson, ILB, Texas A&M
Grade: A-
I love this pick, and out of all of the team’s picks to this point, he rivals Freiermuth as my personal best choice. While inside linebacker isn’t a supreme need this season, the depth at the position was tested last year. The team is shallower there this season, so adding an athletic linebacker to serve as a reserve makes a lot of sense.
As for Buddy Johnson, he should be an instant contributor on special teams due to his freaky athleticism. He already is a decent run stopper, so he could end up replacing Vince Williams next season at least on rushing downs. If he can improve his pass coverage, Johnson has legitimate starting potential. He was a great pick at this point and is a great fit for the team’s defense.
Round 5: Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE, Wisconsin
Grade: F
From one of my favorite picks to my least favorite, there is very little to be happy about with this pick. As a prospect, Isaiahh Loudermilk offers very little at this point. He is underweight to play on the line and has no skills as a pass rusher. By the sounds of it, Loudermilk will look to bulk up and be a defensive end (his best fit easily), but his lack of athleticism and overall skill makes his ceiling extremely low.
Had the Steelers taken him in the sixth or seventh this grade still wouldn’t have been that high (albeit it wouldn’t have been an F). The reason this grade bottoms out was that the team traded for him. They sent a future fourth-round pick to gain the rights to select a prospect that seemed likely to go undrafted.
Worse yet, the Steelers defensive end depth chart is deep right now. Tyson Alualu can play at end in a pinch and Chris Wormley was brought back on a two-year deal to be a rotational defender. It seems like Loudermilk is set to compete with Isaiah Buggs and Henry Mondeaux for what is likely only one or two spots at defensive end. I’m not sure he will make the roster which makes this trade up so puzzling.
Round 6: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Grade: A
Easily the best value pick that the Steelers have made to this point, Quincy Roche could have easily gone a round or two higher. Add in the fact that he fills in a huge need as a reserve edge rusher and it is hard to not like this pick. He is one of those classic productive players that has below-average athleticism. That said, he put up some great tape while at Miami and Temple.
As a rusher, Roche relies on his instincts and pass rush skills to get after the quarterback. He has decent bend and a solid array of pass rush skills to his credit. Roche had 30.5 sacks while in school, an impressive number no matter his lacking athleticism. He has a clear path to the roster as well considering the fact that the only depth at outside linebacker is currently Cassius Marsh.
He needs to build up some strength and muscle as of now, but it shouldn’t stop him from playing on special teams early on. Long-term, his best fit is as a situational pass rusher and a rotational piece on the defense. He can overcome his athletic problems as a reserve. At this point in the draft, getting such a productive player at a position that was considered relatively shallow is a huge win.
Round 7: Tre Norwood, DB, Oklahoma
Grade: B-
Getting into the seventh round, its hard to grade any one player too harshly. While Tre Norwood seems like a fine enough late-round flyer, the issue becomes the fact that the Steelers ignored the secondary until the seventh round. Even if Norwood finds a way to make the roster, he will likely not contribute much outside of playing on special teams.
He tested pretty poorly as an athlete as well, furthering the concerns that he was the only defensive back selected. The best trait he seems to have is his ability to pick the ball off, as he consistently displayed decent ball skills. Again, as a seventh-round pick there isn’t anything inherently wrong with Norwood. It just would have been better had this team taken a defensive back earlier.
Pressley Harvin III, P, Georgia Tech
Grade: B+
Say what you want about taking a punter, this was one of the final picks in the draft and Pressley Harvin III is unique to say the least. He is a larger-than-average punter weighing in at 260 plus pounds. Meanwhile, he was one of the best punters at the collegiate level last year. For a team that hasn’t had much stability at punter, taking a shot on one late can’t hurt.
At least this pick is interesting for a specialist, as his unique body size and style make him a lot of fun to watch. He will battle Jordan Berry for the starting role during camp. Given his draft status, one would have to think that Harvin has the edge. Regardless, it was a nice change of pace to see the team try to get an upgrade at punter.
The Steelers had a few hits and a few misses in the draft, but overall, this seems like a solid class. Outside of the random trade-up for Loudermilk, this team seems to have made logical picks. What do you think of this class? Let me know in the comments below.