Ranking the Last 5 Steelers Draft Classes from Best to Worst

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @JaysonErwin2002

The 2022 draft has officially concluded and looks to put a paradigm shift into this Steelers' roster. The last 5 draft classes from 2017 to 2021 have helped shaped the Steelers in the best---and worst ways. From busts you wouldn't believe, to literal game wreckers, the Steelers have had a lot of success and also some major unfortunate steps backwards. What was the worst draft class and what was the best?

Let's go over the last 5 draft classes for the Steelers, from top to bottom:

2017

If we look at the players from the draft now, the Steelers probably had one of the best overall classes from that year. This was truly the game-changer for the Steelers, coming off a disappointing first-round bye exit the previous year to Jacksonville. TJ Watt was selected 30th overall, and looking back 5 years later, he was the best defensive player in that draft (fight me, Browns fans!). The reigning defensive player of the year is the definition of a beast. Want further proof? The Steelers have led the NFL in sacks since Watt was drafted. Watt posted more sacks than the whole Atlanta Falcons team last year, and tied the single-season record for sacks with 22.5 sacks. That's not just because of the fact that the NFL expanded to 17 games, because Watt only played in 15 games. Watt is a true game-changer, but he wasn't the only great player from this draft.

While Juju Smith Schuster is gone to Kansas City, you can't deny he made his presence felt the 5 years he was in Pittsburgh. James Conner might not have been the long-term answer the Steelers were looking for at RB, but he was a Pro-Bowler, and he's now a touchdown machine for the Arizona Cardinals, as he continues to inspire everyone. Cameron Sutton still retains his spot on the roster and plays his role extremely well. There's also Josh Dobbs, who is currently a backup QB for the Cleveland Browns. Defensive back Brian Allen is currently playing in the USFL for the Birmingham Stallions. Heck, even long snapper Colin Holba joined multiple teams after he was waived in 2017 and retired in 2022. Finally, Keion Adams resides in the CFL playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The draft had its ups and downs, but you can't deny that it was simply one of the best.

2021

Even though it was just last year, this draft holds tons of promise for the Steelers. Most notably, the additions of Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth, who have shown flashes of being some of the best this draft offered. Harris was a game changer for a struggling Steelers run game, and Freiermuth could revive the tight end position, in a way that the Steelers have been looking for since Heath Miller. Other notable picks were Tre Norwood, Dan Moore, and Kendrick Green -- who are all starters or potential starters. There's also Pressley Harvin III, who while struggling for some of the season, showed flashes, and keep in mind he was also playing with personal life struggles. Other picks such as Buddy Johnson and Isaiahh Loudermilk are backups for now, and Quincy Roche is on the New York Giants. This was a draft with a ton of potential, and it will be very interesting to see how these players will perform next year.

2020

The Steelers didn't have a first-round pick this year due to the trade for star defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, but still tried to make it count and they did---sort of. The most notable players they got from the draft were Chase Claypool, Alex Highsmith, and Kevin Dotson -- and all three are starters on the team. Anthony McFarland Jr. and Carlos Davis remain on the squad, while they've served as backups. The only player not on the team is Antoine Brooks Jr., who is currently a free agent. Not a disappointing draft in the least, the first-round pick was used well as Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the best safeties in the league, and the black and gold got a good amount of young talent to help Big Ben in his final push. If Claypool can prove his sophomore season was just a slump, he could be one of the best receivers in the league, and if Highsmith and Dotson can stay consistent, this draft could age very well as the years go on.