The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up in the 2019 NFL Draft to select with the 10th overall pick, Devin Bush. They were trying to aggressively fill the Ryan Shazier sized hole in their linebacker corps, so most fans were on board with the aggression, but we differ on the results. It is a source of pain for Steeler Nation as even the most optimistic fan who hopes Bush has a resurgent season on a prove it deal understands if he does prove it, he is a free agent in the NFL spending derby. Who knows what he could command on the open market with a great season?
Pro Football Focus decided to spin their mystery wheel of analytics on Twitter by publishing their redraft of the top 10 picks of the 2019 draft.
If you could redo the 2019 NFL Draft, who would you want your team to grab? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/JA2k7RyZi3
— PFF (@PFF) June 11, 2022
The list is drawing a lot of comments about Kyler Murray still being rated as the number one pick overall. I find it curious that in their usual fashion, there is no consistency to the logic.
The Arizona Cardinals did need a quarterback and hired Kliff Kingsbury to lead them to consistent collapses down the stretch, to either miss the playoffs entirely or get destroyed in the Wild Card round, while calling him the 4th BEST COACH IN THE NFL! Calm down, count to 10… 3, 2, 1. The list is a mish mash of best player available and need, but I am here to seriously question the number 10 pick overall in their redraft.
The idea here is that the Steelers who were looking specifically for a linebacker would somehow trade up to the 10th spot in the 2019 NFL Draft, sacrificing the 20th and 52nd picks in 2019 and a 3rd round draft choice in 2020 to select Elgston Jenkins, center out of Mississippi State. He is entering his 4th season and is yet to start a game at center. Jenkins was moved to guard by the Green Bay Packers in his rookie year, has started 38 of 40 games, and made the Pro Bowl. But if you are going to retroactively draft a class, it probably should be based somewhat on the team’s intent. If you think that the Steelers, who are arguably the best at drafting players in the Super Bowl era, would trade three picks for a center, a center who was not even the best available center four years later like Erik McCoy who actually started 32 games for the New Orleans Saints at center, you’re wrong. Jenkins has been a solid guard for the Packers and did make a Pro Bowl, but he is not a talent four years later you would trade a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round draft pick to acquire.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) tries to evade Houston Texans cornerback Cornell Armstrong (30) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
The list of players that Pro Football Focus has decided the Steelers organization would not be savvy enough to pick after four years of NFL level performance are in no particular order of other positions are T.J. Hockenson, Ed Oliver, Montez Sweat, Josh Allen and Byron Murphy. If you want to talk offensive line specifically, how about Tytus Howard, Kaleb McGary and Nate Davis, all three-year starters at the positions they were drafted.
If you look at linebackers, the specific position they traded up to get, maybe another Devin, like Devin White or Bobby Okereke, or even Rashan Gary. The people at this organization that proports to do nothing but grade players did not even bother to look down the draft list of the Steelers themselves. Diontae Johnson leads the class of 2019 in receptions, is 4th in yards, and touchdowns. The interesting thing is four of the wide receivers selected in front of him are in the top 10. If you are going to value that position, so highly, maybe pick the guy who leads in receptions and is in top 4 of the other 2 major receiving categories in the class?
Photo - JSKO_PHOTO (Twitter)
This is the rantings of a Steeler fan, but honestly why is Cris Collinsworth’s organization harboring a grudge against the Steelers? They made two Super Bowl appearances during his career during a down period for the organization. Did Chuck Noll call him a bad name? Did Robin Cole ring his bell? Shouldn’t you be mad at the San Francisco 49ers? After all, they beat you twice in the big game. Maybe Steeler Nation should send him a shirt that says, “We do not hate Cincinnati Bengals who have been retired from the game after 25 years.” Maybe we should send one to Anthony Munoz too. None for Boomer Esiason though, this is his 25th anniversary of retirement in the 2022 season, he is still serving his 25-year sentence. No paroles for Bengals, sorry. Could be worse. I have only been able to say nice things about Jim Brown since 2015, it’s 50 years for the Cleveland Browns. Luckily, I will probably be dead by the time I have to say nice things about a player from the Baltimore Ravens.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Does all this disrespect get you fired up? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
