State of the Steelers: Midseason Rookie Report Card
It's hard to believe, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are nearly at the halfway mark of the season. So what better time than now to review where the team stands. Here's a look at the rookie class at the midway point in 2023. Broderick Jones: A- There might be some recency bias in my grade, but […]
It's hard to believe, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are nearly at the halfway mark of the season.
So what better time than now to review where the team stands.
Here's a look at the rookie class at the midway point in 2023.
Broderick Jones: A-
There might be some recency bias in my grade, but Jones looked like the 14th overall pick in the draft on Thursday night vs. Tennesse.
He was excellent in both the run and pass and should be the starter at RT from now on.
Joey Porter Jr.: A+
The Steelers probably waited too long to insert Porter Jr. into the starting lineup, but he has been cash money since doing so, excelling in every facet of defense outside of the occasional woes in tackling.
When you consider that the Bears parted ways with the pick that Pittsburgh used on Joey Porter to trade for Chase Claypool, there may be some answerig to do in Chicago.
Expect Peezy Jr. to only get better with more reps.
Keeanu Benton: A
Another rookie who has been underused yet overproduced, Benton has been stellar in limited action, especially as a pass rusher from an interior alignment.
He was part of the reason Pittsburgh's defense was still dominant during Cam Heyward's absence, and I expect him to grow and develop under Captain Cam's tutelage.
Darnell Washington: D
This was Darnell Washington's second catch of the year, and it came on Thursday against the Titans.
And while Pittsburgh drafted Washington as a project late in the third round if you told them that Washington would have only two catches at the halfway point of the year with starting TE Pat Freiermuth missing more than a month's worth of games…
I think they go elsewhere with that pick.
Nick Herbig: B+
Herbig is behind the best edge rush duo in the league arguably, so it's not surprising to see him be limited in snap share.
He has made some splash plays in his reps, but he can be a liability in the run game, so he will continue to be a situational pass rusher as he develops physically.
Darius Rush: I
Rush played his first real reps on Thursday, and he did well during the snaps he played, although it would have been an emphatic ending if he caught the above interception.
Right now he looks like a steal off the Chiefs' practice squad, but we will see how he looks down the stretch.
Teams apparently interested in former Steelers WR Martavis Bryant
That’s a surprise.
