The 2019 NFL draft was a series of ups and downs for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But according to ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., there were far more ups. Kiper gave the Steelers a very solid B+ grade for their picks. You can read the whole thing here, but here are the highlights.
On inside linebacker Devin Bush.
I like GM Kevin Colbert moving up 10 spots to get a potential superstar in Bush at No. 10. Yes, it cost a lot — they gave up pick 20 and 52 plus a third-rounder in next year’s draft — but Bush can be an impact player and leader in Pittsburgh.
On wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
Elsewhere, Pittsburgh added a wide receiver with the pick it got in the Antonio Brown trade. Diontae Johnson (No. 66) actually reminds me a little bit of Brown on tape, but he’s not an elite athlete. We obviously can’t expect him to be close to Brown, but if he gets into the rotation as a rookie, that’s a win.
And finally our favorite pick, cornerback Justin Layne.
Cornerback Justin Layne (No. 83), a converted receiver, could be a starter as a rookie. I thought he had a chance to go in the top 40 picks.
If the Steelers can realistically get five or six of the team’s nine picks make the team, this draft will be a huge win. If Pittsburgh can get solid contributions from Bush and Layne as rookies it would be an even bigger plus for a team with a closing window to win a Super Bowl.
