The Pittsburgh Steelers throughout the Super Bowl era have produced some of the best draft classes in NFL history. Each time they have had a historic draft class, it has been the catalyst for jump-starting the franchise into contention for at least a decade. Some franchises are lucky enough to have one great draft in the Super Bowl era, but the black and gold have found multiple great draft classes.
The Steelers' 1974 class that was the catalyst for four Super Bowl victories in six years was the best draft class in NFL history and it isn’t close. Pittsburgh selected four Hall of Famers in the first five rounds of that class: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Despite the draft lasting 17 rounds, they threw in an undrafted free agent Hall of Famer in Donnie Shell for good measure.
In 1987 near the end of Chuck Noll’s tenure as head coach, the franchise set the defensive foundation that was the key to Bill Cowher’s early success as an NFL head coach. The Steelers selected Rod Woodson, Thomas Everett, Hardy Nickerson, Greg Lloyd and Merril Hoge. It wasn’t five Hall of Famers, but Woodson is in the conversation for the best defensive back ever and Lloyd has a strong case for Canton, although he has been consistently overlooked.
The 2022 draft class is shaping up to potentially be the next great Steelers draft. Pittsburgh was selecting in the bottom half of the first round and were without a fifth-round pick. Ben Roethlisberger had retired and the black and gold were unfortunately in the position of looking for a quarterback within a very weak quarterback class.
Kenny Pickett was the Steelers first-round selection on Day 1 of the draft when he fell to the 20th pick overall. The late Franco Harris announced the selection enthusiastically. Pickett was considered the most NFL-ready quarterback in the class, but questions about his hand size and his age (24) allowed him to drop. Pickett started slowly, but has demonstrated superior poise in games that matter late in the season.
Day 2 of the draft featured George Pickens, and he might have been the steal of the entire draft. A knee injury dropped him into the second round, despite having first-round talent. He has made a living as a rookie producing highlight reel catches routinely. DeMarvin Leal has missed time due to injury, but when he has been on the field, he has proven to be a competent run stuffer who looks like he will be a fixture on the defensive line for years to come.
Day 3 of the draft brought intriguing names to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, camp star Calvin Austin suffered a season-ending injury just prior to the first preseason game. However, Connor Heyward has proved to be a valuable special teams player and despite his diminutive size, an effective tight end when called upon. Mark Robinson displayed big-play ability in the preseason and last week earned his first start against the Baltimore Ravens. Robinson made 7 tackles and may be the reason Devin Bush is playing somewhere else next season. He is already a fan favorite and a thumper who has only played linebacker for two seasons.
Last but not least, the Steelers entered training camp looking for a back to spell Najee Harris. They brought in an undrafted free agent from the Oklahoma State Cowboys whose running style was compared to a bowling ball. Jaylen Warren, who is the cousin of another great Steelers undrafted free-agent running back, Willie Parker, has been fantastic. He is already a better pass blocker than Harris and before Harris rejuvenated his young career over the second half of the season, there was serious speculation that Warren should be getting the bulk of the carries on offense.
It is too early to be measuring anyone in the class for a gold jacket, but Pickett, Pickens and Leal have Pro Bowl potential and Heyward and Robinson could be regular starters for the next decade. Warren has provided more than relief for Harris and is a budding star. If Austin returns from season ending surgery in the spring with his speed intact, the class of 2022 could take its place in Steelers draft lore as one of the best.
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