The 2019 draft class will always be one of the more interesting groups of players on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and broadly the NFL as a whole. They're the last cohort to enter the NFL ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying disruptions to regular football operations. Looking at the Steelers specifically, the 2019 class was the last to attend training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe to-date, and is the last to have the experience talking to the media in the locker room and after games as opposed to interacting with them through a computer screen.
The 2019 class also uniquely knows what it's like to be a rookie on a team that isn’t helmed by Ben Roethlisberger, with him missing all but five quarters of the 2019 season with an elbow injury. That experience may come in handy this year, as a new group of players joins a team that is in transition after 17 years of being able to rely on number seven to carry the team to victory.
As it stands today, the 2019 draft class is a very mixed bag. Though wide receiver Diontae Johnson has quickly become one of the better pass catchers in the league, much of the rest of the class has not lived up to the hopes of Steelers fans. The jury is still out, and 2022 will be a great opportunity for many of these players to prove themselves.
In honor of Diontae Johnson’s July 5th birthday being this week, I wanted to take a look back at the 26 year old’s fellow 2019 draft class.
Round One: Devin Bush
Steelers' Devin Bush makes a play against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field. (Photo: AP)
After a productive rookie season in which he placed third in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year, inside linebacker Devin Bush has not been able to cement himself as the team’s number one option at linebacker. Suffering a season ending ACL tear in 2020, Bush struggled in the 2021 season to return to form, leading the team to sign former Jacksonville Jaguar, Myles Jack to sit atop the depth chart. That’s not to say that Bush hasn’t been successful at times, but many have wondered if it was worth trading up to draft him.
Bush has two interceptions in his three-season career, and an impressive five fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown during his rookie season. He’s had four sacks and eight QB hits during his time as a pro, and made the 2019 All-Rookie Team. The problem that Bush has going forward is that after a stellar rookie season, he has been unable to rekindle the magic he had before his ACL tear in Week 6 of the 2020 season.
The good news is that Bush at 23 years old is still incredibly young and still has plenty of time to turn things around. Best case scenario for Bush would be to have a standout 2022 season and prove that last year’s down performance was a fluke and a result of his trying to recover from a difficult injury.
Round Three: Diontae Johnson
Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
The aforementioned wide receiver, Diontae Johnson, was selected out of the University of Toledo as a third round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Entering the league with the likes of fellow 2019 draft class members Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin, and AJ Brown, Johnson has managed to carve out space for himself as a solid wide receiver.
Despite suffering from less-than-stable QB play during the 2019 season, Johnson had a solid rookie year with 680 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and has continued to put up better stats each year. In his third season in the league, Johnson finally crossed the 1,000-yard threshold with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns and did so during a season where the Steelers struggled offensively at times.
That’s not to say that he hasn’t had his problems. During his sophomore season, Johnson struggled mightily with drops, taking the first place prize in this lowly category with 13 drops on the season. Working hard in the 2020 off-season ahead of 2021, Johnson reduced his number of drops, and ultimately placed 38th in league 2021 with five. That’s a significant improvement for a player who caught a lot of flack.
Johnson enters the 2022 season in a pretty good situation when it comes to his next contract. In a league where receivers just keep getting paid more and more, Johnson really just has to match his 2021 season to some degree and he will likely be paid. If not by the Steelers, someone will pay him if he continues at the rate that he’s been on.
Round Three: Justin Layne
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne plays against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
In the same round that the Steelers were able to snag their number one wide receiver on the depth chart, the team also selected Justin Layne from Michigan State. The Steelers have been panned in recent years for their inability to draft corners, and seemingly those struggles continued when the Steelers drafted Layne.
At 6-2, 192 lbs and a 4.5 running time in the 40-yard-dash, Layne had a lot of the measurables that you’d like to see in a mid-round cornerback. Despite that, the team has clearly not seen enough to Layne to trust him on defense. He has never played more than 11% of team defensive snaps on the season, and has never posted an interception as a pro. He has allowed an 83.3% and 75% completion percentage in 2020 and 2021, respectively. It’s hard to say exactly what has been going on that has allowed corners like James Pierre and Arthur Maulet to get snaps over Layne, but the team hasn’t seen enough.
Layne has been a special teams contributor, playing an average of 47% of team snaps on special teams during his three seasons with the team.
Round Four: Benny Snell
Benny Snell scores his third career touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. (Sports Illustrated)
Benny Snell came into the league with some fanfare, most notably his work standard of “Benny Snell Football” and his signature mouth guards. He has had some positive moments during his tenure with the team, but has been unable to establish himself as the team’s clear number two option at running back.
Snell had his best statistical season in 2019, spelling an injury prone James Conner as needed and putting up 426 yards and averaging just shy of four yards a carry. Not bad! He then went on to put up 368 yards and four TDs in 2020, and just 98 yards in 2021 as Najee Harris established himself as the team’s bell cow running back.
Snell did contribute on special teams, and he’s liked by special teams coach, Danny Smith. He saw the field on 67% of special teams snaps during the 2021 season, as opposed to just 9% offensive snaps.
As things stand right now, Snell is the number two running back on the team, but look for the team to potentially add another back heading into the season.
Round 5: Zach Gentry
Zach Gentry walks off the field. (Steelers.com)
Bush and Johnson get much of the attention as members of the 2019 class, but converted quarterback to tight end Zach Gentry might be one of the best late round picks the Steelers have made in a number of years. Drafted as a project, the 6-8, 265 Gentry has honed his skills as a blocker during his time with the team, and established himself as the team’s number two receiving and primary blocking tight end in 2021.
Gentry had a total of four receiving yards during his first two seasons, but saw that number increase to 167 yards and 40% of offensive snaps this past season as the team seemingly turned a new leaf on the position group.
Gentry has established himself well enough that the team did not bring in significant competition for him this off-season, placing much of the drama on a battle for third tight end between rookie Connor Heyward and multi-year practice squad veteran, Kevin Rader.
Look for Gentry to have a big leap in 2022.
Round 6: Sutton Smith
Sutton Smith on-field at OTAs. (Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
The first of the teams’ three sixth round picks in 2019, Northern Illinois product, Sutton Smith, was an interesting prospect that ultimately didn’t work out with the team.
With 30 total collegiate sacks and six fumble recoveries for three touchdowns as a defensive end, Smith was a machine on agitating the passer. In fact, during the 2017 season, Smith was the season NCAA sack leader and also led the league in tackles-for-loss during that period of time.
He seemed like he could absolutely be a diamond-in-the-rough candidate to make the roster or the practice squad heading into the summer of 2019 for his athleticism. The team even gave him an opportunity to play fullback at various points, leading to some speculation that Smith may be switching to the offense.
Smith did not make the roster, and has bounced around league practice squads for the past few seasons. He was last signed on the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad as a running back, but was waived in May of 2022.
Round 6: Isaiah Buggs
Isaiah “Big Pooh” Buggs remains one of the bigger late round draft disappointments in recent years as he failed to translate his on-field opportunities into sustained success.
The Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman was able to remain with the team for three seasons, due in part to injuries on the defensive line and a continued struggle to establish depth and maxed out at playing a career high 34% of defensive snaps in 2021. Buggs has had zero sacks, two TFLs, and one pass deflection during his tenure with the Steelers.
He was waived ahead of the 2022 playoffs as the team sought to shore-up their injury plagued defensive line.
Round 6: Ulysees Gilbert
One of the five members of the 2019 class still with the team, Ulysees Gilbert has struggled with injuries throughout his young career and has been unable to establish himself as a contributor at inside linebacker, even in spite of injuries and below par play allowing for opportunities at the position.
Looking first at his few contributions on defense, Gilbert has only played 69 total snaps on defense in his three seasons with the team and has 25 combined tackles. Gilbert’s opportunities, in my view, suffered from the timing of his injuries, which often overlapped with injuries to other inside linebackers. Had he been able to stay healthy, he may have been able to be given more chances.
As a special teamer, Gilbert has been able to be a contributor and most notably returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 2021 season opener. He’s been able to play 533 career snaps on special teams, despite his occasional injury designation, and has been a regular presence since his rookie season.
With a solid contingent of special teamers to compete against, Gilbert will have to show up big time in camp, and will likely have to outperform fellow linebackers Marcus Allen and Mark Robinson for a chance to make the 53-man roster.
Round 7: Derwin Gray
The 219th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, Dewin Gray was a longshot to make the roster, and was likely selected for his 6-5, 330 lbs build more so than his skills as an offensive tackle.
He had limited playing time during his two-season collegiate career at the University of Maryland, playing only in two games for a 1-1 record.
Gray was cut by the team at the end of 2020, and has bounced around the league as a practice squad member for the past two seasons. He is presently a free agent.
Who was the best player in the 2019 draft class? Was it a good draft or a bad draft? Let me know in the comments below.
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