Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' general manager
So, we've previewed some of the rookies who will be joining the Steelers this fall, and like every rookie on every team, both the player and team are hoping they make a big impact in their first year. That's always good to see, but is it required?
It's generally accepted that three years is a reasonable development curve for most football players. We shouldn't be depending on the class of 2013 to pick up the slack when the betting odds are on the class of 2010 to step up. So, with holes at running back, wide receiver, and an aging front seven on the defense, how has Kevin Colbert and his scouting staff prepared the 2013 Steelers? Let's take a look back at some recent draft classes.
(Using a real page break this time, this takes up some space!)
2010
1st round, 18th overall: Maurkice Pouncey, C
Pouncey was a hit and took the starting center position as a rookie; an impressive feat with an organization that favors veterans. He gets dinged up with injuries here and there, but for the most part he's been an effective starter on an improving offensive line.
2nd round, 52nd overall: Jason Worilds, OLB
Here you go, the perfect example of the three-year curve. Worilds has been putting time in on special teams while filling in here and there in the defense. With James Harrison's departure, it's Worilds' time to prove he belongs on this team. If he makes an impact this season, he will have gone exactly according to script.
3rd round, 82nd overall: Emmanuel Sanders, WR
There's nothing wrong with getting a complementary receiver in the third round, and that's exactly what the Steelers got in Sanders. There was a little offer sheet fiasco with the New England Patriots this spring, but he's proven his ability on the field and he'll be playing for a new contract this fall.
4th round, 116th overall: Thaddeus Gibson, DE/OLB
This is where drafts start to get murky, and Thaddeus Gibson's tenure with the Steelers was definitely murky. He sort of… existed in training camp, got hurt or something, and disappeared. He has seen time on the rosters of the Bears and 49ers, and is apparently with the Titans now. His Wikipedia page does not even have a section on his professional career.
4th round, 151st overall: Chris Scott, G
Who even knows.
5th round, 164th overall: Crezdon Butler, DB
Amid a slew of young defensive backs, Butler found himself on the outside looking in at Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen. He's will the Buffalo Bills now.
5th round, 166th overall: Stevenson Sylvester, LB
He hasn't managed to impress anyone enough to get substantial playing time. He's still around, but he'll have to impress in training camp to earn a spot on the team.
6th round, 188th overall: Jonathan Dwyer, RB
Here's another good example of that three-year development. Dwyer saw only spot duty for most of his career and saw more playing time last year while Rashard Mendenhall was making a new set of tin foil hats. This season he comes into camp as what might as well be the incumbent starter.
6th round, 195th overall: Antonio Brown, WR
Yep, safe to say this pick worked out.
7th round, 242th overall: Doug Worthington, DT
Released after a few months and drifted through practice squads. He's on IR with the Redskins now.
All in all, the 2010 class turned out some solid NFL players, highlighted by Antonio Brown all the way in the sixth round. A few questions still remain, most notably with Jason Worilds, but this should theoretically be the season we see the full returns from this draft class.
2011
1st round, 31st overall: Cameron Heyward, DE
As a pure backup to the entrenched starters on the defensive line, Heyward has seen limited playing time so far in his career. Ziggy Hood, two years his senior, slotted into the lineup after Aaron Smith's departure and Heyward should be expected to do the same when Brett Keisel moves on.
2nd round, 63rd overall: Marcus Gilbert, T
Gilbert has had injury troubles here and there, but when he'd been in the lineup he has been adequate. He can still be expected to get better, which is a luxury the Steelers should enjoy as a few young lineman battle for a limited number of spots.
3rd round, 95th overall: Curtis Brown, DB
4th round, 128th overall: Cortez Allen, DB
A general lack of depth in the defensive backfield led to some mid-to-late round picks in recent drafts being spent on cornerbacks. Brown and Allen have both shown flashes of talent while playing sparingly. As Ike Taylor ages and Keenan Lewis departs for New Orleans, one of these guys should be able to seize the starting position in the fall.
5th round, 162nd overall: Chris Carter, LB
Hasn't done much yet. He'll get a few more chances.
6th round, 196th overall: Keith Williams, OL
I actually do not know who this is. But he started 13 games for the Bills last season.
7th round, 232nd overall: Baron Batch, RB
Came into his rookie camp heralded as a very good receiving back, but saw his season quickly derailed with a torn ACL. He hasn't impressed anyone since then, evidenced by the signing on La'Rod Stephens-Howling. It wouldn't surprise me to see Batch looking for another team at the end of training camp.
The 2011 class showed a little bit of promise, but tangible gains from this group have been very limited so far. We could still see contributions, most likely from Allen or Brown, very soon. But the jury is still out on the 2011 class.
2012
1st round, 24th overall: David DeCastro, G
It's a great-feeling pick to bring in a guy like DeCastro, a big, physical, mean offensive lineman. He'll likely have a starting job served to him on a platter in training camp based simply on his pedigree. That's certainly not a knock on the guy, as I love the kind of player he is. We'll know soon enough how good he can be.
2nd round, 56th overall: Mike Adams, T
Adams had the advantage of not being injured during his rookie year, so he saw playing time on a decimated offensive line. He had his share of struggles, but that's to be expected of a rookie tackle in the NFL. He projects as a good everyday starter still.
3rd round, 86th overall: Sean Spence, LB
Hasn't done anything yet. He'll develop himself on special teams for a little while.
4th round, 109th overall: Alameda Ta'amu, DT
5th round, 159th overall: Chris Rainey, RB
Both of these players ran into trouble off the field. The coaching staff must think Ta'amu has a bright future as a player and Rainey does not, as only one of them was released under the guise of maintaining the great public image of the Steelers in a maddening display of double standards.
7th round, 231st overall: Toney Clemons, WR
Practice squad wide receiver, woohoo seventh round picks.
7th round, 240th overall: David Paulson, TE
Will probably get a chance to show his stuff while Heath Miller is on the mend.
7th round, 246th overall: Terrence Frederick, CB
Has two first names.
7th round, 248th overall: Kelvin Beachum, T
The Steelers' final pick in 2012 was ironically one of their most productive rookies last year, as Beachum played in 8 games and started 2.
Obviously it's far too early to judge this draft class, but early returns from Beachum, DeCastro, and Adams at least bode well for the future of the offensive line. And apparently Alameda Ta'amu is going places, since the Steelers chose not to cut ties with the troubled young tackle.
There's a foreboding sense around the 2013 Steelers, especially in regards to their recent drafting. The starters are getting older faster than young guys seem to be able to replace them, but that might be more perception than reality. So much so that this article was drafted as "Weak Steelers Drafting Mean This Year Has To Be The Jackpot" or something along those lines, but after actually sitting down and looking at the draft picks the team has made since that legendarily bad 2008 draft (Kraig Urbik was a second round pick, what), I feel a lot more comfortable with where the roster is in terms of youth. It isn't perfect and there have certainly been some misses, but if everyone just keeps a steady pace in their development, the Steelers will be fine. And that should make sense, because this feels like it's always a concern and the Steelers always seem to be fine.
