Steelers draft class is applauded by tenured NFL decision maker
Often in the media, we base our draft grades on what we view of the prospects rather than what the prospects do for their team. Unless you're in the building, it's difficult to know why a team may have chosen or passed on a player, with medicals, character, ownership involvement, and scheme fit all playing […]
Often in the media, we base our draft grades on what we view of the prospects rather than what the prospects do for their team.
Unless you're in the building, it's difficult to know why a team may have chosen or passed on a player, with medicals, character, ownership involvement, and scheme fit all playing valuable roles in the decision-making process.
So when Rick Spielman who has over 30 years of NFL experience, including a decade as GM of the Minnesota Vikings speaks about a draft, you should listen. Here's what he had to say about the Steelers on CBS Sports's, With The First Pick Podcast:
I thought Omar Khan for his first draft, I thought he did a phenomenal job, said Spielman. I know Mike Tomlin is heavily involved in that process as well and we see that he's walking around like he's coaching the Senior Bowl. He's in the middle of everything and every Pro Day we're at and he's probably one of the most active coaches and most likely to get out on the road, getting his hands on some of these kids.
He gets to know these kids better than anyone I've ever been around. So, I gave them an A grade, because they were able to make a trade with New England to steal Broderick Jones before the Jets to go get the tackle they needed.
And then you know, we were all talking about Joey Porter Jr. as their number one overall fit and he started to slide some late this draft process here, but they were able to land him, which you know, is a legacy pick and you got him in the second round.
And then they needed to get better upfront versus the run so getting Keeanu Benton who we talked about alot, I thought that was a great pick. I think this kid has tremendous upside. We've talked about him playing high at times but when he plays with his pads, he is instinctive and he moved really well during his combine workout and I think will be a better interior pass rusher than people think of.
Then there was Darnell Washington, who you know, a lot people talked after his combine and thought he might slip into the first round. And you get him at 93 after trading down in the third round in a great deal.
Then, one of my favorite players I watched all year was the outside rusher Nick Herbig. He's undersized but in my opinion, a perfect fit for the Steelers because this guy plays like, and I'm not saying he's TJ watt when he came out of Wisconsin but Herbig plays with that type of mentality or as we like to say with his hair on fire, and is a very good football player.
An excellent draft class all around, the Steelers seemed to have curried favor with nearly everyone, as the consensus amongst the media, people within the organization, and former decision-makers all agree. Now it's time to see what this class does on the field, making September as anticipated as ever.
