2015 NFL Draft grades: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted eight new players in the 2015 NFL Draft, so how well did the team make out?
With eight picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers made defense a priority after spending six of their eight picks on that side of the ball, including their first two picks.
The Steelers lost Jason Worilds to a stunning early retirement this offseason so they found his replacement in Kentucky outside linebacker Bud Dupree who played all over the field for the Wildcats and tested well at the Scouting Combine in February.
He looks like the classic Steelers outside linebacker and adds to a young and talented group of linebackers that includes their last two first round picks in Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones as well as former first round pick Lawrence Timmons.
Day 2 of the draft would see the Steelers stick in the SEC with All-SEC cornerback Senquez Golson who had seven interceptions last year and should challenge for a starting job with Ike Taylor retiring. Their third round pick was Auburn receiver Sammie Coates who brings a deep threat to the offense to complement Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
The third day saw them go back to cornerback with Ohio State’s Doran Grant who had five interceptions last year and should fare well in zone coverage. The Steelers stayed in the Big Ten for their fifth round pick, tight end Jesse James from Penn State. He’s 6-7 and 261 pounds but not much of a receiver and needs to get tougher as a run blocker. Could he be the next Matt Spaeth?
Looking to add some depth to the defensive line the Steelers added Central Michigan defensive tackle L.T. Walton and Miami defensive end Anthony Chickillo in the sixth round. With their final pick they took Gerod Holliman out of Louisville. He tied an FBS record with 14 interceptions last year but lacks the necessary athletic traits or awareness to see that translate to the NFL, so don’t expect him to turn into the second coming of Troy Polamalu.
Grade: B
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