Grading The Steelers Massive Haul During The First 2 Days Of The NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have another successful day of drafting under their belt. Their first-round pick, Broderick Jones, an offensive tackle out of the University of Georgia, earned the team a grade of A.

Now that the second and third rounds are done and the Steelers continue to improve the trenches. The picks are in and so are the grades. 

Joey Porter, Jr, Cornerback, Penn State University:

The NFL.com scouting report for Porter has this to say:

"Ascending cornerback combining traits and above-average play strength that create a clear definition of who he is as a player. He can reroute the release and has the frame to close catch windows against big receivers in press-man or Cover 2 looks. Delayed transitions and sluggish change of direction put him in conflict in off-coverages, so teams must pay attention to matchups and schemes in order to avoid a field full of yellow laundry. There is work to be done to improve tackle consistency in the run game, but he finishes tackles after a catch. Porter has scheme limitations, but he also has CB1 potential with more work and if utilized properly."

Teryl Austin, the Steelers defensive coordinator spoke with the media and he is excited about how Porter is going to fit into the defensive schemes. Austin isn't concerned about the lack of interceptions Porter has made. He said that he's worked with long, rangy corners like him before. 

Porter is extremely coachable and given that he is the son of a former Steelers great, Joey Porter Sr, he understands better than most what is expected of him. This could well turn out to be the steal of the draft. According to the majority of draft analysts, Porter was expected to go during the first round, with many linking him to the Steelers at #17. The Steelers were able to get first-round talent at the start of the second round. Grade: A

Keeanu Benton, Defensive Tackle, University of Wisconsin:

The NFL scouting report has this to say about Benton:

"Benton is a powerful interior defensive lineman with size and persistence. However, he needs to play with consistent explosiveness early in the rep for decisive wins at the point of attack at the pro level. Block engagements become drawn-out brawls at times, but he does a nice job of defeating block sustains and often finds himself near the play. He lacks a wide base and sturdy anchor, so he'll need to improve his pad level to prevent double teams from moving him around too easily. He's solid and has flashed starting potential, but he needs to become a more consistently impactful force in the middle to make noise as an NFL starter."

Benton soared during the end of his senior year which caused his draft stock to rise. He had 10 tackles for a loss in 12 games in 2022, seven of those happened during the final four games of the season. And of his 4.5 sacks, 2.5 of them came during those four games.

The Steelers needed this help on the interior of the defensive line. Benton will fit in well and provide some youth to an aging line. Besides, he will get to learn from one of the best in the game - Cam Heyward. Benton has shown a ton of promise, a solid selection for the second round. Grade: B.

Darnell Washington, Tight End, University of Georgia:

The NFL scouting report on Washington has this to say: 

"In-line tight end with rare size and power at the point of attack to help soften defensive edges up front. Despite sloppy overall technique, Washington can be effective at moving defenders when he's centered on his block. He must improve his footwork and hand usage, as NFL defenders will slip away from his clutches more easily if he's unsound. He plods into his routes but catches with above-average focus and can be a handful to bring down. Washington could become a dominant run blocker with better technique, which makes me wonder if a team might give him a look at offensive tackle at some point in his career."

Washington is an absolute freak of an athlete and while tight end might not have been at the top of our needs list, it would have been impossible to pass him up. He has exceptional blocking abilities and while the Steelers have Zach Gentry as a "blocking tight end" and Pat Freiermuth as a "catching tight end," Washington has the ability to do both. 

This 6'7" potential star brings a lot to the table. The only word of caution, and the likely reason he was still available, is that he potentially has some medical concerns in the form of a foot and/or knee injury. This pick has nothing but upside, another potential first-rounder but available at the end of the third round. 

The Steelers swapped picks with Carolina in the third-round and also picked up a fourth-round pick from them we didn't previously have (we gave ours up to move up in the first round). The Wizard of Khan is at it again and this is an incredible value for the "money." Grade: A

What are your grades for the three selections? With these grades the Steelers are currently averaging an A this draft, through three rounds, do you agree? Comment and tell us your thoughts!

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