Pittsburgh Steelers outgoing general manager, Kevin Colbert has had a lot of draft success over his career. Steeler Nation is high on the 2022 draft class and can’t wait to see them on the field this fall. Over recent seasons, Colbert has drafted fan favorites like Heath Miller and Brett Keisel, and has also drafted multiple All-Pro players like Maurkice Pouncey and Antonio Brown. Of course we can't forget the Hall of Fame caliber players like Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, and James Harrison. Colbert’s draft genius is well deserved, but there has also been some notable down years.
The 2019 draft class may not be his worst effort, but it is evident at this point it is near the bottom. The class could still turn out to be solid, however at this point, it is equally possible that no draft pick from 2019 will be on the roster in 2023. Draft grades are always the highlight for any fanbase post draft, but it is worth reevaluating a class when they reach the first round draft picks fifth-year option decision for a true barometer of how well the team really did in evaluating talent.
Devin Bush
1st Round, 10th Pick Overall
Devin Bush (#55). | Steelers.com
I am a fan of Devin Bush. I think his knee injury has really set him back as a player and I hope the second year removed from his injury and tutelage from Brian Flores will fulfill the promise the Steelers saw in 2019. However, the Steelers traded picks number 20 and 52 in the 2019 NFL Draft and a 2020 third round pick to acquire Bush. Some of the names who were available had they stayed put were wide receivers Deebo Samuel, AJ Brown, and DK Metcalf. On defense, cornerback Byron Murphy, linebacker Bobby Okereke and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons were probably going to be on the board or a bevy of good young offensive tackles. The Steelers were trying to fill the Ryan Shazier void and overpaid for a player who they just declined a fifth-year option to remain with the team.
Adjusted Draft Grade: D+
Diontae Johnson
3rd Round, 66th Pick Overall
Diontae Johnson (#18). | AP Photo / Don Wright
Diontae Johnson is the standout pick from this draft. Johnson has improved every year and made the Pro Bowl last year after catching 107 passes for the Black and Gold. He is currently the Steelers number one receiver and is slated to make $2.8 million dollars in 2022. Rumors were circulating prior to the Jacksonville Jaguars resetting the wide receiver market by vastly overpaying Christian Kirk that Johnson would take a five-year $75 million dollar extension to stay in Pittsburgh. The wide receiver market has since exploded, and it is very unlikely the Steelers would get that kind of discount from Johnson based on what receivers are currently being paid. It means there is a very real chance he may elect to leave the team in free agency.
Adjusted Draft Grade: A-
Justin Layne
3rd Round, 83rd Pick Overall
Justin Layne (#31). | AP Photo / James Kenney
Justin Layne on paper looked like a homerun. Big 10 pedigree from Michigan State, tall rangy 6-foot 2-inch corner with good speed, but three seasons and 43 largely unnoticed appearances, Layne is a bad camp away from the Steelers moving on. He just has not developed as even the nickel option for the team and is not even a special team’s standout.
Adjusted Draft Grade: F
Benny Snell Jr.
4th Round Pick, 123rd Pick Overall
Benny Snell (#24). | Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Benny Snell Jr. was billed as a power back, and the hope was he could restore the Steelers running game between the tackles. Snell had a couple of nice performances in isolated duty, but overall has not shown consistent burst. It is easy to blame the offensive line issues for Snell’s performance, but he is at best a short yardage specialist behind a superior offensive line. The Steelers are likely to move on and based on the presence of Mataeo Durant and Anthony McFarland, I don’t expect Snell to make the team.
Adjusted Draft Grade: C-
Zach Gentry
5th Round, Pick 141st Overall
Zach Gentry (#81). | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTOS
Zach Gentry at this point may be the lone offensive player from this draft class that sticks with the team in 2023. I recently made the case that Gentry needs to be pushed in camp by a veteran tight end in camp. He was unable to find playing time behind Vance McDonald and Eric Ebron and only gained consistent snaps when Ebron was hurt in 2021. He does show promise and is a huge target. The Steelers need him to establish himself as the number two tight end on merit not default in 2022, or they will be looking to refill that position next year.
Adjusted Draft Grade: C
Sutton Smith
6th Round, Pick 175th Overall
Sutton Smith (#42). | Bryan Lynn / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sutton Smith did not make the team in 2019. Sixth round draft choices who do not work out are a dime a dozen in the NFL so I am not going to grade this pick an F.
Adjusted Draft Grade: D-
Isaiah Buggs
6th Round, Pick 192nd Overall
Isaiah Buggs (#96). | AP Photo / Matt Durisko
Isaiah Buggs has been a pleasant surprise for the Steelers. He has found the field as a reliable backup over the past three years and started six games this season for the Black and Gold. He is probably not going to ever be the starting nose for the Steelers, but it seems likely he can have a solid career providing quality depth for the next few seasons.
Adjusted Draft Grade: C+
Ulysees Gilbert III
6th Round, Pick 207th Overall
Ulysess Gilbert III (#54). | AP Photo / Keith Srakocic
Ulysees Gilbert III is a physical specimen and over the past three seasons, he has been given opportunities to find the field on defense, but has not broken through. It is unlikely at this point that he will, although he did provide solid but not spectacular special teams play in 2021. Mark Robinson will be given every opportunity to replace him in camp.
Adjusted Draft Grade: D+
Derwin Gray
7th Round, Pick 219th Overall
Derwin Gray (#77). | Jamie Sabau / Getty Images
Derwin Gray dressed for five games for the Steelers in 2020 and he was released before the end of the 2020 season. He signed in the off-season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was cut during the preseason. It is unlikely that he makes an NFL roster at this point.
Adjusted Draft Grade: D
Looking back, if we used the traditional grade point average system, the Steelers 2019 draft GPA would be 1.6, which is below average. This could of course vastly improve in year five if Bush earns a second contract from the Steelers, they re-sign Johnson, and Gentry becomes the second tight end for the next 3-5 years. We could look back on this draft as slightly above average. Colbert's reputation is not a slightly above average general manager and needing to improve to get to that mark is not indicative of his career performance. It would be a shame for recent bias to affect how the NFL views him going forward.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
