3 drafts Steelers GM Kevin Colbert would like to do over if he could
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers 2016 NFL Draft
In terms of Steelers worst draft classes over the past two decades, this one ranks near the top for Kevin Colbert. Sadly, I still remember it vividly.
Pittsburgh was dialed in on a cornerback this year, and all signs were pointing to them selecting one with the 25th overall pick. When William Jackson was selected one pick ahead of them by the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers seemed to have hit the panic button.
Instead of exploring a different position at good value, they reached down their board to take Artie Burns — a player that many draft experts had a third-round grade on. That assessment proved to be correct in the NFL as well. Burns was pretty terrible and was benched later in his rookie contract. Steelers gambled on the length and athletic traits of Sean Davis in the second round, but he wasn’t much better.
This draft was somewhat salvaged by a remarkable third-round pick in DT Javon Hargrave, but the athletic defensive lineman was just a part-time player on Pittsburgh’s defense and lasted just one contract with the team.
Tyler Matekavich made the roster and was a solid special teams player, but Jerald Hawkins, Travis Feeney, and DeMarcus Ayers were all busts.