Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2014 draft class at the midway point of the season:
LB Ryan Shazier: A sprained knee sidelined the first-round pick for four games, but he should make more of an impact in the second half of the season provided he is healthy. Shazier has recorded 23 tackles with two quarterback pressures. The Ohio State product has the speed and ball skills to develop into a real impact player as he gets more comfortable in the defense.
DE Stephon Tuitt: The second-round pick has just two unassisted tackles and has played limited snaps even though he was expected to make an immediate impact. The Steelers, however, are anything but unhappy with Tuitt. They know it takes time for a defensive end to develop in their system, and Tuitt has everything to excel at the position. Mark this down: the Tuitt pick will eventually go down as a steal for the Steelers.
RB/WR Dri Archer: The scatback has not answered questions about how a team with so many needs on defense made what looked like a luxury selection with the 97th overall pick. Archer is averaging just 17.9 yards per kickoff return, and the Steelers replaced the third-round pick with LeGarrette Blount in their 51-34 win against the Indianapolis Colts. It is way too early to call this a wasted pick, but the Steelers have to figure out a way to get more out of the fastest player on the team.
WR Martavis Bryant: It’s hard not to get excited about a rangy, athletic wideout who can actually catch. Bryant has burst onto the scene, catching seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns in his first two NFL games. The fourth-round pick should only get better as he strengthens his grasp of the offense. This has been the season of the rookie wide receivers so far, and Bryant’s emergence is one reason why.
CB Shaquille Richardson: The first of the Steelers’ two fifth-round picks is listed on the roster as practice squad/injured reserve. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, however, has reported that the Steelers paid Richardson an injury settlement, and the Arizona product has not been at team headquarters. This looks like another wasted pick on a cornerback.
OL Wesley Johnson: The Steelers lost the fifth-round pick to the New York Jets when they placed him on waivers and promoted safety Ross Ventrone from the practice squad because of an injury to Shamarko Thomas. How much of a loss this is remains to be seen. The Steelers deemed Johnson more expendable than guard Chris Hubbard, a former undrafted free agent who spent all of last season on the practice squad.
LB Jordan Zumwalt: The sixth-round pick flashed in the Steelers’ preseason opener before a groin injury sidelined him. The Steelers placed Zumwalt on injured reserve when they set their 53-man in late August, a strong indication that they like his potential. I have a feeling this kid can play, and at least help the Steelers on special teams in the coming seasons.
NT Daniel McCullers: Have the Steelers found the heir to five-time Pro Bowler Casey Hampton with the 215th pick of the 2014 draft? McCullers is enormous, and if the 6-foot-7, 352-pounder can play with good leverage, he is the nose tackle of the future. The sixth-round pick has shown promise in his first two NFL games.
TE Rob Blanchflower: The seventh-round pick is on the practice squad. Blanchflower will spend this season getting stronger and learning the offense. Whether he makes a move during the offseason at a position where the Steelers need some youth remains to be seen.
