Steelers "Very Much Still Coasting" As Franchise's Roster Building Is Completely Trashed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily criticized for certain moves they've made over the last decade or so. It has been about that long since the organization advanced in the postseason, so the lack of overall success has the fans sort of restless. A big reason that the Steelers are in their current state of mediocrity is the inconsistent drafting over the years. The organization has not given a first-round pick a second contract since TJ Watt, and he was drafted all the way back in 2017. That is not a good way to build a legitimate contender.

On Wednesday, Mike Renner of CBS Sports released an article ranking all 191 first round picks since the 2020 NFL Draft. This list obviously did not include the 2026 draft class, and the Steelers did not have a first-round pick in 2020. The Steelers had five draft picks ranked, and the highest ranked individual was Derrick Harmon at 94, followed by Troy Fautanu at 99. Next was Kenny Pickett at 138, with Najee Harris and then Broderick Jones following the quarterback.

Obviously the rankings are questionable, especially with Pickett being ahead of Harris. Fautanu should also arguably be higher on the board in general due to his overall outstanding play. Renner had some critical analysis after the rankings concluded.

"The Steelers are very much still coasting off the Kevin Colbert era, with players like TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward anchoring the defense," Renner wrote. "Even putting Derrick Harmon and Troy Fautanu in the middle third at this point in their careers is almost a placeholder, as neither has proven to be a consistently quality starter yet. No wonder the Steelers feel like the oldest team in the NFL."

While Watt and Cam Heyward did come from the time when Kevin Colbert was the general manager of the Steelers, this analysis is authored like it is backed by a lack of research. Colbert was the general manager through the 2022 NFL Draft, and Harris and Pickett were his selections in the first round this decade. The highest-ranked Steelers on this list came from Omar Khan's tenure, who he drafted in 2024 and 2025, and they continue to improve.

Colbert is a big reason the Steelers are where they are. He did not have a proper succession plan for Ben Roethlisberger in place, and he drafted horrendously over his final five years or so. From his three draft classes that occurred in this decade, two players are still on the team. That is two out of 22 -- not exactly a great hit rate.

A lot of contributor's on the roster come from moves that Khan pulled off. He acquired Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey via trade. He has kept the team afloat by managing the quarterback purgatory that Colbert put him in. He has also found valuable players late in the draft. Look at Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig, who were each just extended. Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton are each awaiting an extension as well. Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier are reliable on the offensive line, and Payton Wilson has made big plays. 

It is hard to say the Steelers are coasting off of Colbert's time as general manager when four players that were drafted during his tenure are still on the roster. Five if fans want to count going out and signing Chris Boswell.

Steelers' Omar Khan Is Still Cleaning Up Kevin Colbert's Mess

The foundation of a team is built through the NFL Draft, and the Steelers had no foundation after Colbert's tenure was up. He left the organization in a bad spot, and not just at quarterback. Khan has done a great job in the recent offseasons of plugging holes in free agency and finding decent value in the draft. He might not hit on every first-round pick, but he finds good to great players each year. 

What do you think of this analysis of the Steelers drafting this decade? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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