With the 2011 regular season freshly over it is time to go back and evaluate every team’s draft classes based on performance this year. I will use a formula to grade each pick and calculuate a final grade for each team. The Pittsburgh Steelers end the sixth week of grades.
ROUND 1 – graded from a 0-5 scale
ROUND 2 – graded from a 0-4 scale
ROUND 3 – graded from a 0-3 scale
ROUND 4 – graded from a 0-2 scale
ROUND 5 – graded from a 0-1 scale
ROUND 6 & 7 – no scale, point awarded if player was productive
*I reserve the right to award a bonus point to any player who outperformed their draft position.*
FINAL GRADING SCALE
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60 -69 - D
0-59 - F
2011 Draft Class
Round 1: Cameron Heyward DE, Ohio St. - 11 Tackles, 1 sack, 1 Forced Fumble
Analysis: The Steelers have a history of bringing their young defensive lineman along slowly, nevertheless Heyward’s stats are disappointing for a first rounder.
Grade: 2/5
Round 2: Marcus Gilbert OT, Florida – 13 Starts
Analysis: Gilbert started thirteen games at tackle and gained valuable experience.
Grade: 4/4
Round 3: Curtis Brown CB, Texas – 14 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble
Analysis: Brown appeared in 12 games and helped out sparingly.
Grade: 1.5/3
Round 4: Cortez Allen CB, Citadel - 15 Tackles
Analysis: Allen played in 15 games this season and made about a tackle a game.
Grade: 1/2
Round 5: Chris Carter LB, Fresno St. – 3 Tackles
Analysis: Carter’s rookie years was rather uneventful as he played in just 8 games.
Grade: 0/1
Round 6: Keith Williams G, Nebraska – Cut
Analysis: Williams was cut by the Steelers, picked up by the Bills, and did nothing.
Grade: 0/0
Round 7: Baron Batch RB, Texas Tech – No stats
Analysis: Like many 7th rounders, Batch failed to play a meaningful snap.
Grade: 0/0
Undrafted: Weslye Saunders TE, South Carolina 4 Receptions, 29Yds, 1 TD
Analysis: Saunders stats aren’t mind boggling, but the did start 6 games which is impressive for an undrafted rookie.
Grade: .5/0
TOTAL SCORE: 9 / 15
FINAL GRADE: 60 % D-
Analysis: The Steelers 2011 Draft Class didn’t produce great results after season one. Cameron Heyward was the biggest disappointment as he produced very little for his first round status. Marcus Gilbert gained valuable playing time with 13 starts and will likely be in line for a starting gig his sophomore campaign. There was little else to get excited about in year one except for maybe Weslye Saunders who played pretty well for an undrafted rookie. This grade should grow well the next few seasons, especially with the top 3 selections all in line for much more playing time in 2012.
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