Can the Steelers Find an Impact Player at #49?
The Steelers first round pick in 2020 is Minkah Fitzpatrick. Kevin Colbert has made that line of thinking canon with his recent remarks on the matter.
So where does that leave the team as they head into the 2020 NFL Draft?
Round number two, pick number 49; that’s when the Steelers will get to work trying to acquire an impact player for this season and beyond.
NFL front offices are, for the most part, excellent at evaluating and identifying talent coming out of college. By the time the Steelers draft, roughly half of the NFL franchises will get not one, but two cracks at finding “their” player. Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin in the meantime will just have to wait to see which remaining players on the board fulfill their team’s needs.
So, what kind of player will be available when Colbert and company finally make their selection? Pro Football Reference keeps track of each pick’s value as it relates to trading and impact. The first pick in any draft is worth 3000. The final pick of the first round is worth 590. For the Steelers at #49, the pick is worth 410.
Yes, there will be good players available, but they’re going to have to have the magic touch if they want someone who can step in in year one.
Here are the last 10 years of draft picks from #44-#54, a +/- spread of five from the Steelers’ first pick.
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Let’s take a closer look at the players who standout from each year.
2019 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Two skill position guys, Miles Sanders and A.J. Brown and two centers are the clear choices from this grouping. Brown had over 1,000 yards of receiving and Sanders was a threat on the ground (800+ yards) and through the air (50 catches). Other than that, not much there.
Best player taken after pick #54: D.K. Metcalf, Seattle (Rd. 2, Pick 64)
2018 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
2018 was not a great draft for value in this range of picks. Only Dallas Goedert, Connor Williams and Jessie Bates were able to start for their teams both seasons.
Best player taken after pick #54: Orlando Brown, Baltimore (Rd. 3, Pick 83)
2017 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Another bad year for the mid to late 2nd rounders. Joe Mixon and Raekwon McMillan have been the only impact players.
Best player taken after pick #54: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans (Rd. 3, Pick 67)
2016 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
The 2016 NFL Draft class was home to the only 2nd round pick in the last ten years to never see the field, Christian Hackenberg. But 2016 also had Michael Thomas, who’s developed into one of the best receivers in the league and Derrick Henry, who finally showed what he can do this past season. Atlanta linebacker Deion Jones also made a Pro Bowl from this group. Center Nick Martin stepped in from day one and been a reliable starter and Jarran Jones has had limited success with the Seahawks.
Best player taken after pick #54: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City (Rd. 5, Pick 165)
2015 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Eric Kendricks come on down, you’re the only star player from the 2015 group! The Minnesota linebacker has one Pro Bowl and one All-Pro team to his name. Center Mitch Morse has been a solid player since being drafted and has started every game since being drafted for the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. LA Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has started a majority of his games since being drafted.
Best player taken after pick #54: Joe Thunney, New England (Rd. 3, Pick 78)
2014 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Steeler Stephon Tuitt is one of two standouts from this grouping along with Green Bay wideout Davante Adams. Timmy Jernigan and Trent Murphy have also had success as well.
Best player taken after pick #54: Telvin Smith, Jacksonville (Rd. 5, Pick 144)
2013 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
A former Steeler you may recognize, Le’Veon Bell joins Jamie Collins in being two highly talented, All-Pro caliber players from 2013’s grouping. A fair amount of other names on the list have had success including Kiko Alonso, Johnathan Hankins, and Kawann Short. Another former Steeler, Jon Bostic has had three consecutive years starting and had one of his best year as a pro in 2019 with the Redskins.
Best player taken after pick #54: David Bakhtiari, Green Bay (Rd. 4, Pick 109)
2012 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Bobby Wagner is the stud selection for this group with 5 All-Pro selections, he’s almost guaranteed a future bust in Canton. Alshon Jeffery, Mychal Kendricks and Zach Brown have also had lots of NFL success.
Best player taken after pick #54: Russell Wilson, Seattle (Rd. 3, Pick 75)
2011 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
New Steeler Stefen Wisniewski leads this list, although none from this group has ever made a Pro Bowl.
Best player taken after pick #54: Richard Sherman, Seattle (Rd. 5, Pick 154)
2010 NFL Draft Class #44-#54
Only two players from 2010 are still in the league, Linval Joseph and Carlos Dunlop. Both have had very good careers with each making the Pro Bowl twice.
Best player taken after pick #54: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh (Rd. 6, Pick 195)
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