Without a first-round pick from the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, the Steelers first pick was wide receiver Chase Claypool in the second round. The Notre Dame product kicked off his career with that massive four-touchdown performance in Week 5 and finished with an 873-yard rookie season and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He had a very similar second season stat-wise, and was off to an ok start to 2022, then was traded to the Bears for a second-round pick mid-season. He was described as kind of a locker room concern and not a culture fit, which led to the Steelers willingness to part with the young receiver. That second-round pick essentially turned into a first as it was the top pick of the round, which was used to select cornerback Joey Porter Jr in this past draft. Claypool has since done nothing on the field, and was traded to the Dolphins during the 2023 season for a sixth-round pick.
The only player to remain with the team from this class is Alex Highsmith. The third-rounder has turned into a stud pass rusher alongside T.J. Watt, posting 27.5 sacks the last three seasons. He signed a four-year extension last summer.
Fourth-rounder Kevin Dotson was off to a solid start for Pittsburgh, getting some spot starts as a rookie, then earning the starting left guard spot his second season before missing eight games due to injury. He returned as the 17-game starter in 2022, but was then traded right before the 2023 season to the Rams after losing the starting job to veteran free agent signing Isaac Seumalo. He was traded along with a fifth and sixth for a fourth and fifth, so decent value, and the Rams ended up with a 14-game starter, and was the second-highest graded guard according to Pro Football Focus. After a year like that, he will get a very nice pay day.
The rest of the class is currently out of the NFL and signed with the UFL. Anthony McFarland was buried on the depth chart and bounced between the active roster and practice squad the last four years. Antoine Brooks spent his rookie year on the practice squad, then his second season on the Rams practice squad before joining the XFL and UFL. Carlos Davis made the roster as a rookie, but dealt with injuries his second season and spent 2022 on the practice squad. He’s since had stints with the Falcons and in the UFL.
Football Nerds 