Perspective Of An Average Steelers Fan: How Did Kevin Colbert Stack Up?
I review the previous five Pittsburgh Steelers rookie classes every season. Several folks commented on how Pittsburgh compares to other NFL teams in successfully drafting players. The Steelers hold a reputation for spotting talent in the draft. But the last few seasons have not been so successful.
I reviewed Kevin Colbert’s last three draft classes before Omar Khan took over as General Manager. Then, I compared those classes to the Steelers’ rivals in the AFC North. After all, you have to outcompete your division foes to reach the playoffs.
It’s important to note that the draft is just one component of reloading the roster. General Managers must find and sign undrafted free agents, outside free agents, or execute trades. Teams must manage their salary caps effectively to retain quality players and make room for new contributors. In this article, I’m just focusing on the draft, a traditional source of talent for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here is what I found.
2020 Draft Class
Rnd
Pick
Tm
Player
Pos
Age
Yr
St
G
AP1
PB
1
1
CIN
Joe Burrow
QB
23
5
5
69
0
2
1
10
CLE
Jedrick Wills Jr.
T
21
5
3
58
0
0
1
28
BAL
Patrick Queen
LB
21
5
5
84
0
2
2
33
CIN
Tee Higgins
WR
21
5
4
70
0
0
2
44
CLE
Grant Delpit
S
21
4
3
61
0
0
2
49
PIT
Chase Claypool
WR
22
4
1
58
0
0
2
55
BAL
J.K. Dobbins
RB
21
4
1
37
0
0
3
65
CIN
Logan Wilson
LB
24
5
4
68
0
0
3
71
BAL
Nnamdi Madubuike
DT
22
5
4
76
0
2
3
88
CLE
Jordan Elliott
DT
22
5
3
81
0
0
3
92
BAL
Devin Duvernay
WR
22
5
1
72
1
2
3
97
CLE
Jacob Phillips
LB
21
3
0
20
0
0
3
98
BAL
Malik Harrison
LB
22
5
0
76
0
0
3
102
PIT
Alex Highsmith
LB
23
5
4
77
0
0
3
106
BAL
Tyre Phillips
T
23
5
1
47
0
0
4
107
CIN
Akeem Davis-Gaither
LB
22
5
0
71
0
0
4
115
CLE
Harrison Bryant
TE
22
5
3
78
0
0
4
124
PIT
Anthony McFarland Jr.
RB
22
4
0
17
0
0
4
135
PIT
Kevin Dotson
G
23
5
3
69
0
0
4
143
BAL
Ben Bredeson
G
22
5
2
62
0
0
5
147
CIN
Khalid Kareem
DE
22
5
0
30
0
0
5
160
CLE
Nick Harris
C
21
4
0
45
0
0
5
170
BAL
Broderick Washington Jr.
DT
23
5
1
70
0
0
6
180
CIN
Hakeem Adeniji
T
22
4
0
43
0
0
6
187
CLE
Donovan Peoples-Jones
WR
21
4
1
58
0
0
6
198
PIT
Antoine Brooks Jr.
S
22
2
0
12
0
0
6
201
BAL
James Proche
WR
23
5
0
62
0
0
7
215
CIN
Markus Bailey
LB
23
5
0
61
0
0
7
219
BAL
Geno Stone
S
21
5
2
68
0
0
7
232
PIT
Carlos Davis
DT
24
3
0
12
0
0
Pittsburgh traded their first and fifth-round selections for Minkah Fitzpatrick. They picked up a fourth-round selection from Miami. So, Pittsburgh drafted six players in 2020. None of the drafted players have gone to the Pro Bowl or selected first-team All-Pro. But Alex Highsmith excelled as a four-year starter. Chase Claypool scored 11 touchdowns as a rookie before fading and being traded away. Kevin Dotson started two seasons before the Steelers traded him to the Rams. Only Highsmith remains with the team in 2025.
The Rivals
The Ravens drafted 10 players in 2020. Patrick Queen was a four-year starter for Baltimore, including a Pro Bowl. Pittsburgh signed Queen as a free agent in 2024. Baltimore drafted two other players who achieved Pro Bowls for them. Nnamdi Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, is signed through 2027. Devin Duvernay, a two-time Pro Bowler, was selected as a first-team All-Pro in 2021 as a returner. He left in free agency. Baltimore had three players left on their roster in 2024. Malik Harrison is scheduled to be a free agent in 2025.
Cincinnati selected Joe Burrow with the first pick of the 2020 draft. A starter since his rookie year, Burrow is a two-time Pro Bowler and franchise quarterback. The Bengals also picked up premier receiver Tee Higgins. Starting outside linebacker Logan Wilson intercepted 11 passes. Cincinnati had four of seven drafted players on their 2024 roster. Higgins and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither are scheduled to be free agents in 2025.
Cleveland drafted seven players in 2020. Overall number-10 pick Jedrick Wills started three years at left tackle for the Browns. But he’s been hobbled by injuries the past two seasons. Safety Grant Delpit missed his rookie season due to injury. But he’s evolved into a starting free safety.  Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott started two seasons before electing free agency before the 2024 season. Tight end Harrison Bryant played four seasons for Cleveland before leaving in free agency. Nick Harris left for Seattle in 2024. But the Browns swapped a 2026 sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick to bring him back for the 2024 season due to injuries along their offensive line. The Browns traded Donovan Peoples-Jones to Detroit for a 2025 sixth-round pick after three and a half seasons in Cleveland. Cleveland had three 2020 draft picks on their roster in 2024. Two are scheduled for free agency in 2025.
Ranking 2020 Draft Classes
Ranking the 2020 draft classes is pretty easy. Cincinnati led the way with a franchise quarterback, a starting wide receiver, and a linebacker. Helped by having the number 1 overall pick. Baltimore is right behind them with three players who have achieved Pro Bowls. Even though only one Steeler remained with the team in 2024, a high-performing edge rusher and a one-year rookie wonder receiver gave them the edge over Cleveland, which developed two starters out of their rookie draft class.
2021 Draft Class
Rnd
Pick
Tm
Player
Pos
Age
Yr
St
G
AP1
PB
1
5
CIN
Ja’Marr Chase
WR
21
4
4
62
1
4
1
24
PIT
Najee Harris
RB
23
4
4
68
0
1
1
26
CLE
Greg Newsome II
DB
21
4
3
54
0
0
1
27
BAL
Rashod Bateman
WR
21
4
2
51
0
0
1
31
BAL
Odafe Oweh
DE
22
4
1
62
0
0
2
46
CIN
Jackson Carman
T
21
4
0
30
0
0
2
52
CLE
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
LB
21
4
3
49
0
1
2
55
PIT
Pat Freiermuth
TE
22
4
2
61
0
0
3
69
CIN
Joseph Ossai
LB
21
3
0
47
0
0
3
87
PIT
Kendrick Green
OL
22
3
1
36
0
0
3
91
CLE
Anthony Schwartz
WR
21
2
0
25
0
0
3
94
BAL
Ben Cleveland
OL
23
4
0
54
0
0
3
104
BAL
Brandon Stephens
CB
23
4
3
65
0
0
4
110
CLE
James Hudson
OL
22
4
0
49
0
0
4
111
CIN
Cameron Sample
DE
21
3
0
47
0
0
4
122
CIN
Tyler Shelvin
DT
23
2
0
5
0
0
4
128
PIT
Dan Moore
OL
22
4
4
66
0
0
4
131
BAL
Tylan Wallace
WR
22
4
0
54
0
0
4
132
CLE
Tommy Togiai
DT
21
3
0
26
0
0
4
139
CIN
D’Ante Smith
T
23
2
0
3
0
0
4
140
PIT
Buddy Johnson
LB
22
3
0
20
0
0
5
149
CIN
Evan McPherson
K
22
4
0
61
0
0
5
153
CLE
Tony Fields
LB
22
4
0
45
0
0
5
156
PIT
Isaiahh Loudermilk
DE
23
4
0
58
0
0
5
160
BAL
Shaun Wade
CB
22
3
0
20
0
0
5
169
CLE
Richard LeCounte
DB
22
3
0
12
0
0
5
171
BAL
Daelin Hayes
DL
23
1
0
1
0
0
5
184
BAL
Ben Mason
FB
22
1
0
1
0
0
6
190
CIN
Trey Hill
OL
21
3
0
25
0
0
6
202
CIN
Chris Evans
RB
23
3
0
34
0
0
6
211
CLE
Demetric Felton
RB
23
2
0
24
0
0
6
216
PIT
Quincy Roche
DL
23
2
0
17
0
0
7
235
CIN
Wyatt Hubert
DE
23
0
0
0
0
7
245
PIT
Tre Norwood
DB
22
2
0
32
0
0
7
254
PIT
Pressley Harvin III
P
22
3
0
47
0
0
Najee Harris gained 1,000 yards rushing four straight years and a Pro Bowler in 2021. The Steelers selected nine players in the 2021 draft. The draft produced a starting running back, tight end, and left tackle. But two, Najee Harris and Dan Moore may sign with other teams as free agents in 2025. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is signed through 2028. And Isaiahh Loudermilk played four seasons as a rotational defensive lineman. But he is a free agent in 2025, too.
Pittsburgh had four 2020 draft picks play for them in 2024. But they could be down to Freiermuth in 2025 unless they re-sign some of their pending free agents.
The Rivals
None of the Ravens’ eight 2020 draft picks, including two first-round picks, have made the Pro Bowl. But their top pick, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, emerged as a starter the past two seasons. And third-round pick Brandon Stephens started three seasons. Bateman contracted through 2026. But Bateman is a free agent in 2025. Rotational and spot starter Odafe Oweh has 23 sacks. Baltimore picked up his fifth-year option for 2025. Baltimore had five of eight draft picks play for them in 2024. Three are scheduled to be free agents in 2025.
The Bengals drafted 10 players in 2020. Ja’Marr Chase is a 4-time Pro Bowler and 2024 first-team All-Pro. He was the fifth overall pick. Evan McPherson is the regular Bengals place kicker. Not much else besides some role players. Three of the five who played for the Bengals in 2024 are contracted for 2025. Will see if the two free agents are re-signed for 2025.
The Browns got two three-year starters from the eight players they drafted in 2021. First-rounder Greg Newsome was a regular starter in his first three seasons. But he only had three starts in 2024, and he landed on injured reserve near the end of the season. 2023 Pro Bowler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a regular starting linebacker. But he landed on injured reserve his other three years with Cleveland. James Hudson, a spot-starter offensive lineman, landed on injured reserve in 2024. This was the case with linebacker Tony Fields, who the Browns waived after his time on the injured reserve list. Three of four players on the Browns 2024 roster are contracted for 2025, including their top two picks.
Ranking 2021 Draft Classes
The Bengals were tops in 2021, too, led by the overall number 5 pick, Ja’Marr Chase, a four-time Pro Bowler and a first-team all-pro receiver. Pittsburgh landed a starting running back, tight end, and left tackle. Baltimore and Cleveland followed.
2022 Draft Class
Rnd
Pick
Tm
Player
Pos
Age
Yr
St
G
AP1
PB
1
14
BAL
Kyle Hamilton
S
21
2024
2
48
1
2
1
20
PIT
Kenny Pickett
QB
24
2024
2
30
0
0
1
25
BAL
Tyler Linderbaum
OL
22
2024
3
49
0
2
1
31
CIN
Daxton Hill
DB
21
2024
1
37
0
0
2
45
BAL
David Ojabo
LB
22
2024
0
18
0
0
2
52
PIT
George Pickens
WR
21
2024
3
48
0
0
2
60
CIN
Cam Taylor-Britt
CB
22
2024
3
39
0
0
3
68
CLE
Martin Emerson
CB
21
2024
2
50
0
0
3
76
BAL
Travis Jones
DT
22
2024
1
49
0
0
3
78
CLE
Alex Wright
DE
22
2024
0
37
0
0
3
84
PIT
DeMarvin Leal
DT
22
2024
0
28
0
0
3
95
CIN
Zachary Carter
DE
23
2024
1
45
0
0
3
99
CLE
David Bell
WR
21
2024
0
32
0
0
4
108
CLE
Perrion Winfrey
DT
22
2023
0
14
0
0
4
110
BAL
Daniel Faalele
T
22
2024
1
49
0
0
4
119
BAL
Jalyn Armour-Davis
DB
23
2024
0
19
0
0
4
124
CLE
Cade York
K
21
2024
1
23
0
0
4
128
BAL
Charlie Kolar
TE
23
2024
0
30
0
0
4
130
BAL
Jordan Stout
P
24
2024
2
51
0
0
4
136
CIN
Cordell Volson
T
24
2024
3
50
0
0
4
138
PIT
Calvin Austin III
WR
23
2024
0
34
0
0
4
139
BAL
Isaiah Likely
TE
22
2024
1
49
0
0
4
141
BAL
Damarion Williams
CB
24
2023
0
15
0
0
5
156
CLE
Jerome Ford
RB
22
2024
1
44
0
0
5
166
CIN
Tycen Anderson
S
23
2024
0
24
0
0
6
196
BAL
Tyler Badie
RB
22
2024
0
4
0
0
6
202
CLE
Michael Woods II
WR
22
2024
0
15
0
0
6
208
PIT
Connor Heyward
TE
23
2024
0
51
0
0
7
223
CLE
Isaiah Thomas
DE
23
2024
0
12
0
0
7
225
PIT
Mark Robinson
LB
23
2024
0
38
0
0
7
241
PIT
Chris Oladokun
QB
25
2024
0
1
0
0
7
246
CLE
Dawson Deaton
OL
23
0
0
0
7
252
CIN
Jeff Gunter
OLB
23
2022
0
10
0
0
Pittsburgh drafted seven players in 2022. They swung and missed on Kenny Pickett in the first round. He’s now a backup in Philadelphia after just two seasons in Pittsburgh. George Pickens is a talented but mercurial receiver. DeMarvin Leal has struggled with injuries. Calvin Austin fitting in as a slot receiver and punt returner after missing his rookie year. Connor Heyward lost offensive snaps in the Arthur Smith offense. But a reliable special teamer. Linebacker Mark Robinson primarily played special teams. Quarterback Chris Oladokun never made the roster.
The Rivals
Baltimore’s first two picks yielded a first-team All-Pro and two-time Pro-Bowler Safety. And a two-time Pro Bowl starting center. Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum earned their place in the draft. Plus, tackles on offense and defense emerged in 2024.  And two tight ends playing plenty of snaps behind Mark Andrews. Add a punter and a core special teamer. Nine of the 11 Baltimore 2022 picks saw action with the Ravens in 2024.
The Bengals drafted six players in 2022. Three were starters in 2024. DB Daxton Hill started five games in 2024 before going on injured reserve. But Cam Taylor-Britt started the past two seasons at cornerback and has a pick-six in 2023 and 2024. Cordell Volson is now starting tackle. The Bengals waived DE Zach Carter. But have a core special teamer in Tycen Anderson who returned after missing 2023 to injury.
Cleveland drafted nine players. But their top pick was in the third round. The purgatory caused by signing Deshaun Watson limited opportunities to obtain top talent in this draft. Only cornerback Martin Emerson is a regular starter. Though running back Jerome Ford has filled in for Nick Chubb despite his own injuries. Alex Wright is a rotational defensive lineman. Receiver David Bell is on injured reserve for most of 2024. Kicker Cade York lasted a year before moving on.
Ranking 2021 Draft Classes
Baltimore led the way with two two-time Pro Bowlers. Cincinnati selected three starters. Despite missing at quarterback in the first round, I rank Pittsburgh ahead of Cleveland. The Steelers got a talented receiver and four role players, while Cleveland, hampered by the DeShaun Watson trade, did not pick until the third round.
Overall Ranking of the Three Draft Classes
Round
BAL
CIN
PIT
CLE
1
5
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
7
3
3
6
4
8
5
5
5
5
4
3
1
4
6
2
3
3
3
7
1
3
5
2
total
29
23
22
24
2024
17
13
10
11
2024 PCT
58.60%
56.50%
45.50%
45.80%
AP1
2
1
0
0
PB
10
6
1
1
Overall, I ranked Baltimore as the best drafting team in the AFC North from 2020 to 2022. The Ravens had the largest percentage of drafted players contributing to the team in 2024. Plus, they led all teams in the number of Pro Bowls achieved by their players drafted during that period. They also drafted more players at higher rounds through trades or compensatory picks. Excellent management.
Cincinnati was aided by two top-5 overall picks. But their scouting department did a good job at identifying the best talent that would improve their roster. Too often, teams squander high picks by selecting the wrong horse (i.e., Ryan Leaf versus Peyton Manning). Steady selections led to a high retention rate of drafted players in 2024.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland were together in a lower tier. Both teams traded away first-round picks. But Pittsburgh ended up with a high-caliber safety. Cleveland gave up their 2022 (plus 2023 and 2024) first-round picks for Deshaun Watson. Pittsburgh, in turn, whiffed on Kenny Pickett. The Steelers and Browns have one Pro Bowl appearance each out of 46 players drafted. By 2024, both teams retained less than half of their 2020-2022 draft picks.
Conclusion
Kevin Colbert should end up in the Football Hall of Fame someday. He was that talented. But his last three draft classes show that he was slipping. Pittsburgh enjoys the reputation of building through the draft. But teams like Baltimore and Cincinnati surged ahead. There may be many more teams with better recent track records if we broaden the scope of the study. Omar Khan began turning over the scouting staff after he became the Steelers general manager following the 2022 draft. I hope that his first two draft classes show an improvement in the Steelers’ ability to identify talent.
Your Song Selection
I always like to include some music. The Steelers can choose to be better. They must crush the bones of despair. Leave the hurt behind. And just choose to be better. Here is To Be Better performed by Miracle of Sound.
