Steelers Now
In ESPN’s annual ranking of NFL teams based on players under the age of 25, the Pittsburgh Steelers were tabbed at No. 28 overall among 32 NFL teams, dropping one spot from last year’s ranking of 27th.
In addition, ESPN did not identify a single “blue-chip” player on Pittsburgh’s roster among its under-25 talent. Center Zach Frazier, outside linebacker Nick Herbig, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon were all omitted.
Perhaps it’s why the Steelers are among the oddsmakers’ least favorite AFC teams to make the playoffs (+158), and are among the longshots for the Super Bowl.
“Much of the Steelers’ offensive line just turned 25, but first-round rookie Max Iheanachor is 22 and third-round selection Gennings Dunker is 23. Third-round quarterback Drew Allar is 22. Second-round wide receiver Germie Bernard will turn 23 in December and will probably be starting in the slot this season. New return man Kaden Wetjen is 24,” Aaron Schatz of ESPN wrote.
“On defense, edge rusher Nick Herbig, who led the NFL in pass rush win rate (26.3%) last season, will be 25 in November. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon will turn 23 in early August, while defensive lineman Yahya Black is 24.”
General manager Omar Khan received rave reviews in his first two draft classes. This past year’s draft haul left many skeptical, however.
Landing top-tier players in the first round has been an issue for the Steelers, though.
Since 2013, the Steelers have extended just one first-round pick — T.J. Watt. That’s it. Linebacker Ryan Shazier would’ve been extended if it wasn’t for his career-ending spinal injury in 2017, however.
For the most part, the rest of the first-round picks were busts. Things look promising for 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu so far, while Broderick Jones’ future is murky due to a devastating neck injury last season.
The Steelers swung and missed on Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft. Graziano thinks that mistake has caused the Steelers to be hesitant about selecting another quarterback in the first round.
Not having a young franchise quarterback is a big reason why they’re ranked No. 28 overall based on players under the age of 25. The Steelers also have several old defensive core players in Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey.
“There isn’t a playoff-type team that has taken the quarterback position less seriously than the Steelers have over the past three years. It’s as if the Kenny Pickett first-round flop broke their will, and they’ve decided it’s just not worth it to try for real answers,” Graziano wrote. “The overall roster looks better than it did a year ago, but the coaching change and the refusal to look anywhere else but Rodgers for a QB solution make Pittsburgh feel like a franchise whose ceiling is well established at this point.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Where Do the Steelers Rank Among Young Talent in NFL?
