2022 Steelers draft analysis: Colbert’s final draft ignores key needs
6th Round – H-Back/Full Back/TE – Connor Heyward
Michigan St., 5′ 11″, 233 lbs – 4.72 40-yard
The Steelers will make one set of brothers happy while making another set unhappy. If he makes the team, which is far from a lock, Connor figures as a back of roster fullback. That means special teams standout, Derek Watt, would be bumped off the team.
What does Connor Heyward bring to the team they didn’t already have in T.J.s brother, Derek? He was on nobody’s draft board. Since he’s the little brother of Steeler standout, Cam Heyward, I’m positive they could’ve signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Connor never started at the college level being used primarily as an H-Back and Full Back. In his five-year college career, he had 211 runs for 825 yards at 3.9 yards per and 5 TDs. He had 96 receptions for 711 yards at 7.4 yards each and 6 TDs. He also fielded kickoffs with 33 returns for 723 at a way below average of 21.9 yards per return. He’s a decent receiver and runs hard after the catch. His move blocking is still developing. Not to beat a dead horse but he’s basically a clone of Derek Watt.
My guess is if Connor does make the team it’ll be because of special teams play. There were still some good offensive lineman and running back prospects on the board and those were much higher needs. A good backup lineman or RB can save a season. An H-B/FB? Not so much.
There is no strategy to this pick, whatsoever, this is pure sentiment. Sentiment does not win championships. Strategy: F, Value: F, Player: C+