The 2023 NFL Draft is less than a month away. The last few offseasons, we dove into a Steelers NFL draft class starting with the 2004 NFL Draft and outlined a successive draft each week. In doing so, each player selected by the Steelers was highlighted as to how their NFL career, or lack thereof, took shape. Each year was outlined with the last three draft classes all combined into one since a large number of the players were still with the team.
Since it worked the last two seasons, and since a lot of the research has already been done, let’s look back at they players from these drafts yet again, this time looking at two different years, on separate days, each week leading up to the last week of April. The last two years started with 2004 because Ben Roethlisberger had played the previous year. With Big Ben now retired, we’ll start with the 2011 draft since Cam Heyward is the oldest drafted player on the Steelers from 2022. For players no longer in the league, a lot of the information will be the same while others will be updated where needed.
Part 4 of 10 will highlight the Steelers 2014 NFL draft where I still get choked up thinking about what could have been.
So let’s take a look at the nine players drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL draft:
Ryan Shazier
Linebacker, Ohio St.
Round 1
Pick 15
Monday, December 4, 2017, will be a day many Steelers fans would like to forget. With 11:26 remaining in the first quarter, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton completed a short pass for 3 yards to rookie wide receiver Josh Malone. It would be the last play of Ryan Shazier‘s NFL career as he would endure a horrific spinal injury on the tackle and days later would undergo spinal stabilization surgery. Shazier played 46 regular season games along with six playoff games in his NFL career. Selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016, Shazier was also selected in 2017 despite his injury. With seven career interceptions and 25 passes defensed along with seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 7.0 sacks, Shazier had 299 regular season tackles in his career. Continuing to rehab back to a normal life, Shazier officially retired from the NFL prior to the 2020 season.
Stephon Tuitt
Defensive end, Notre Dame
Round 2
Pick 46
The last member of the 2014 draft with the Steelers, Stephon Tuitt had arguably the best season of his career in 2020. Struggling with injuries at times, Tuitt appeared in all 16 games as a rookie but has missed at least two games per season every year up until 2020. Appearing in 15 games his last season he saw the field after missing one contest due to being on the Reserve/COVID-19 List, Tuitt finished 2020 with 11.0 sacks, the most he’s had since achieving 6.5 sacks in his second season. In his seven-year career, Tuitt has started 79 games and has an interception, 13 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 34.5 sacks, and 246 tackles. Tuitt also has 48 tackles for loss and 94 quarterback hits, achieving career highs in both categories in 2020 with 10 tackles for loss and 25 quarterback hits.
Unfortunately, Tuitt’s 2021 season never got going as he spent the entire year on the Reserve/Injured List. Missing OTA‘s due to the tragic death of his brother in a hit-and-run, Tuitt was also reported to have a knee injury. Exactly which event kept him from seeing the field has been debated among Steelers’ Nation throughout the 2021 season and beyond. On June 1, 2022, Tuitt announced his retirement from the NFL.
Dri Archer
Running back, Kent St.
Round 3
Pick 97
The first of three compensatory draft picks in 2014, the Steelers traded their 3rd round pick the previous year in order to draft Shamarko Thomas. Drafted for his blazing speed, Archer never really found where he fit with an NFL team. Appearing in 12 games as a rookie where he had 10 rushes for 40 yards and seven receptions for 23 yards, Archer also saw time as a kick returner. During his second season, Archer only saw three snaps on offense while acting primarily as a return man on kickoffs where he had 354 yards on 14 returns with a long of 38 yards. Archer was waived in November 2015 as the Steelers decided on using Jacoby Jones as their a kick returner. Archer reportedly turned down other practice squad opportunities and sat out the remainder of the season. After being signed to a Reserve/Futures contract by the New York Jets in the offseason, Archer was released following the NFL draft. Claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills, Archer never reported to the team, subsequently ending his NFL career.
Martavis Bryant
Wide Receiver, Clemson
Round 4
Pick 118
Held out his first six games rookie season due to not being ready for the NFL, Bryant had eight touchdowns in 10 games in 2014. Bryant missed the first four games of the 2015 season due to suspension for violating the league substance-abuse policy. Upon his return, Bryant appeared in 11 games and had six touchdowns and 765 receiving yards on 50 catches and added a rushing touchdown. After being suspended for the entire 2016 season for once again violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, Bryant appeared in 15 games in 2017 with 603 yards on 50 catches and three touchdowns. In the offseason, Bryant was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round draft pick. Released before the start of the regular season, the Raiders re-signed Bryant 10 days later despite the fact he was facing another suspension. Bryant appeared in eight games with 19 catches for 266 yards for the Raiders before being placed on injured reserve. A week after landing on IR, Bryant was suspended indefinitely by the NFL and has yet to be reinstated. In January of 2021, Bryant signed a contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League but did not report to camp and was placed on the suspended list. Released following the season, Bryant was breifly under contract with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL but was released before training camp. Bryant is currently playing with the Vegas Vipers of the CFL.
Shaquille Richardson
Defensive back, Arizona
Round 5
Pick 157
Richardson failed to make the Steelers 53-man roster his rookie year but landed on the practice squad. Unfortunately, Richardson only lasted several weeks as he was released in October. Richardson spent time in the offseason or on the practice squad’s of a number of NFL teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina Panthers. Richardson then spent two years with the Calgary Stampeder‘s of the CFL before returning to the Oakland Raiders in the 2018 offseason. Unfortunately, Richardson was placed on IR during training camp and later cut before the start of the season. Richardson recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL but became a free agent earlier this year.
Wesley Johnson
Offensive line, Vanderbilt
Round 5
Pick 173
Able to play any position across the offensive line, Johnson made the team for the Steelers his rookie season and appeared in two games and played 25 offensive snaps. Released in mid October, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets but did not appear in any games in 2014. Johnson played an additional three seasons in New York where he started eight games in 2016 and 15 games in 2017 as the Jets center. Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions in the 2018 offseason but failed to make the team. Signing with the Miami Dolphins several weeks into the season, Johnson appeared in 10 games mainly on special teams. In 2019, Johnson signed with the San Francisco 49ers but ultimately did not make the team and has not played in the NFL since.
Jordan Zumwalt
Linebacker, UCLA
Round 6
Pick 192
When it comes to a late round draft pick, injuries can completely derail a career. For linebacker Jordan Zumwalt, landing on injured reserve during training camp each of his first two seasons all but destroyed his chances of making it in the NFL. Although Zumwalt returned to the Steelers for a third year in 2016, he failed to make the team or the practice squad after finally completing a preseason. Zumwalt was not signed to any other NFL teams following his release from the Steelers.
Daniel McCullers
Defensive tackle, Tennessee
Round 6
Pick 215
McCullers was a player who found a way to stick around with a Pittsburgh Steelers for six seasons. Appearing in 73 regular season games, McCullers had 2.5 sacks and two passes defensed with 41 tackles and nine quarterback hits over his six-year career with the Steelers. Failing to make the team in 2020, McCullers was signed to the Steelers practice squad with the expanded rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Poached by the Chicago Bears a few weeks into the season, McCullers was on the active roster until the middle of October before being released and signed to the Bears’ practice squad. Elevated to the active roster once, McCullers ended up back on the 53-man roster in mid November. McCullers only appeared in three games for the Bears in 2020 where he played 86 defensive snaps and had eight tackles. Not on any roster in 2021 or 2022, McCullers is still technically a free agent.
Rob Blanchflower
Tight end, UMass
Round 7
Pick 230
Failing to make the Steelers 53-man roster his rookie season, Blanchflower spent all of 2014 on the Steelers’ practice squad. Signed to Reserve/Future contract in the offseason, Blanchflower was waived/injured during training camp. After clearing waivers, Blanchflower landed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. He was released in the 2016 offseason and never signed with another NFL team.
FAQs
Did the Steelers trade up in the draft? ›
14 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers moved up three spots in Round 1 to select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Pittsburgh traded the 17th and 120th overall picks to the New England Patriots in exchange for No. 14 overall.
Who did the Pittsburgh Steelers pick up in the draft? ›| ROUND | OVERALL PICK |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14. OT Broderick Jones (Georgia) |
| 2 | 32. CB Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State) |
| 2 | 49. IDL Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin) |
| 3 | 93. TE Darnell Washington (Georgia) |
Barring any trades, the Steelers have seven selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team's picks are: First Round, 17th overall pick.
What happened to the Steelers 2010 draft class? ›The Steelers actually traded their seventh-round pick of the 2010 draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and reacquired Leftwich.
How did the Steelers get the 32nd pick? ›General manager Ryan Poles traded the Bears' second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for WR Chase Claypool in November 2022. Because the Bears finished with the worst record, and the Miami Dolphins forfeited their first-round pick for tampering, that pick ended up being the No. 32.
What player did the Steelers trade? ›The Steelers acquired veteran receiver Allen Robinson II in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The Steelers acquired Robinson and a seventh round pick (251st) in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for a seventh round pick (234th) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
What did the Steelers give up to move up in the draft? ›On Thursday night, Pittsburgh doubled down on upgrading the trenches, trading up to the No. 14 overall pick to select Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. The Steelers surrendered the No. 17 pick and a fourth-rounder to the Patriots to do so.
Who was Mr irrelevant 2023? ›| Year | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Desjuan Johnson | Rams |
| 2022 | Brock Purdy | 49ers |
| 2021 | Grant Stuard | Buccaneers |
| 2020 | Tae Crowder | Giants |
In general, they have picked about 24 players from the University of Florida over the years. considered Hall of Famers. HB Tom Barnett was selected in 1959 but did not fare as well.
What did Steelers trade for 80th pick? ›The Pittsburgh Steelers traded their third-round pick to the Carolina Panthers. As part of the deal, the Steelers sent #80 to Carolina for #93, which is later in the third round, and #132 in the fourth round. It's a logical and expected move down for Pittsburgh.
Who was the Steelers 3rd round pick? ›
The Steelers selected tight end Darnell Washington from the University of Georgia in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 93rd overall pick. The Steelers traded with the Carolina Panthers, sending the Panthers the 80th pick overall.
What is the best draft class in NFL history? ›1981. The 1981 draft was the epitome of a stacked class from top to bottom. While the first round had no shortage of stars, including Lawrence Taylor, Kenny Easley and Ronnie Lott, the real accomplishment of this class was the complete talent through all 12 rounds.
What was the most talented NFL draft class? ›What Was the Best NFL Draft Class of All Time? The 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers draft is and likely always will be the greatest draft in league history. Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, and Mike Webster would all go on to be Pro Football Hall of Famers. The quartet won four Super Bowls.
Who was the best Steelers draft class? ›...
Round two.
| Rnd. | 2 |
|---|---|
| Pick No. | 27 |
| NFL team | Buffalo Bills |
| Player | Doug Allen |
| Pos. | LB |
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't normally retire numbers. The only player to receive that honor is Ernie Stautner, who wore No. 70. Stautner, a Steelers defensive lineman from 1950 to 1963, was a nine-time Pro Bowler, according to Pro Football Reference.
Why aren t there 32 picks in the first round? ›Why Are There Only 31 Picks in Round 1 of This Year's Draft? There are only 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft because the league docked the Miami Dolphins their first-round choice as punishment for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
Why is there no 32nd pick? ›The first round kicked off on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Kansas City. One quirk of this year's draft is that there are only 31 picks in the first round instead of 32 because the Miami Dolphins had to forfeit their 2023 first- and 2024 third-round picks.
What did Steelers give for Allen Robinson? ›UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced the Allen Robinson trade on Friday. The Steelers said they sent a 2023 seventh-round draft pick (234th overall) to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Robinson and a seventh-round draft pick (251st overall).
Who left the Steelers? ›Less than seven months after the Steelers acquired him, Malik Reed has left the organization, with the outside linebacker signing a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 20. Embattled former Steelers linebacker Devin Bush agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Why did the Steelers trade for Allen Robinson? ›In this story:
With the Rams battling salary cap issues and Robinson's production not matching his contract, the former gave the latter a chance to seek a trade this offseason - which came to fruition Tuesday, as he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a swap of seventh-round draft picks.
Did the Steelers have a good draft? ›
Overall Pittsburgh Steelers draft grade: A+
The Steelers had the best draft in the NFL. It can credibly be said that they acquired four starter-level players with their first four picks. Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
It just came a little sooner than expected after the team traded up from No. 65 to No. 55 in the second round with the Detroit Lions. The Lions traded down from 55, giving KC pick 194 in the sixth round in exchange for pick 63 in the second round, 122 in the fourth, and 249 in the seventh.
Who did the Steelers pick in the 2023 draft? ›The Steelers selected Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 132nd pick overall. Herbig is the younger brother of Nate Herbig, the free agent guard the Steelers signed this offseason. "I can't really explain it to you.
Has any NFL Mr. Irrelevant ever been good? ›The best Mr. Irrelevant ever is still probably kicker Ryan Succop. Drafted in 2009, he's been a starter in the league since his rookie season, though he's a free agent in 2023. Taken by the Kansas City Chiefs, he spent five seasons there, before joining in the Tennessee Titans in 2014 as a free agent.
Have any Mr irrelevants been successful? ›Since the NFL draft was cut to its current seven-round format in 1994, players presented with this dubious honor have more often succeeded in making the team that drafted them, with some making significant contributions. Tyrone McGriff was perhaps the most successful Mr. Irrelevant from the pre-1994 era.
How much is Mr. Irrelevant paid? ›In fact, after his playing time has dropped in recent weeks, Crowder publicly complained about his playing time. In the third year of his rookie deal, Crowder is making $913,872 for the Giants. He will be a free agent in 2024, as well.
What college has the most DB in the NFL? ›Which program has the most ever secondary players drafted to the NFL? Ohio State. While there is always room for DBU debate, it's hard to argue with Ohio State's résumé when it comes to producing defensive back talent for the NFL. In the history of the NFL draft, the Buckeyes have had 65 DBs selected.
What university has most players in NFL? ›In 2022, the most well-represented college football program in the NFL was Alabama, with 58 Crimson Tide players on NFL Week 1 team rosters.
Have the Steelers ever had 2 first round picks? ›The Steelers have traded away their first-round pick eight times; they have had two first-round selections in two drafts.
How much were the Pittsburgh Steelers originally bought for? ›Pittsburgh was purchased in 1933 by Dan Rooney for $2,500. 87-years later, that value has increased more than 110,000 times it's initial buying price. Last year, Forbes listed the Steelers' value at $2.58 billion, 30th in the world and 10th in the NFL.
Who bought the Steelers in 1933? ›
On this date 89 years ago, on May 19, 1933, the National Football League granted the request for an expansion franchise in Pittsburgh to be owned by Art Rooney and the Pittsburgh Professional Football Club was formed as the team that later became the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What did Steelers move to in 1970? ›Two significant changes took place in 1970. The Steelers moved from the NFL Century Division to the AFC Central with the merger of the American Football League and the NFL.
Who was Steelers 4th round pick? ›There have been numerous thoughts and debates regarding what the team will do in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. When the dust settled, the Steelers have selected Nick Herbig, LB out of Wisconsin with their pick in the 4th Round of the draft. Steelers grab LB Nick Herbig. According to his brother Nate, he's a stud.
Who is the Steelers 7th round pick? ›The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Cory Trice with their 7th round pick in the 2023 draft.
How many draft picks do Steelers have in 2023? ›The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 with seven picks over the three-day event, including three in the top 49.
What teams will trade up in the draft? ›- Indianapolis Colts (No. 4 overall)
- Las Vegas Raiders (No. 7 overall)
- Tennessee Titans (No. 11 overall)
- Minnesota Vikings (No. 23 overall)
- Buffalo Bills (No. 27 overall)
- Seattle Seahawks (No. 5 overall & No. 20 overall)
- Philadelphia Eagles (No. 10 & No. 30 overall)
- Detroit Lions (No. 6 & No.
The Steelers selected tight end Darnell Washington from the University of Georgia in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the 93rd overall pick. The Steelers traded with the Carolina Panthers, sending the Panthers the 80th pick overall.
How many draft picks do the Steelers get this year? ›This year, the Steelers have seven drat picks, including three picks in the top-50, beginning with the 17th overall selection in the first round. Pittsburgh has two picks in the second round, their own pick and a pick acquired from Chicago in a trade for WR Chase Claypool in November of last season.
Do the Steelers have a 7th round pick? ›There have been numerous thoughts and debates regarding what the team will do in Round 7 of the NFL Draft. When the dust settled, the Steelers have selected CB Cory Trice Jr. out of Purdue with their first pick in the 7th Round of the draft.
Did the Steelers draft good? ›The Steelers had the best draft in the NFL. It can credibly be said that they acquired four starter-level players with their first four picks. Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton all have the potential to be long-term starters.
Can you trade a player you just drafted? ›
At any time before or during the draft, teams can negotiate trades to swap draft picks or current NFL players to whom they hold the rights. The only players who are restricted from trade negotiations are the actual players drafted. Once a player is chosen in the draft, he can only sign with the team who drafted him.
Can you trade a draft pick after the draft? ›Trades are still able to be made during a draft, but only for previously owned players. You won't be able to trade a player who was just drafted. If a player was owned prior to the current draft, they can be traded at any time.
How many future draft picks can an NFL team trade? ›Teams are only allowed to trade picks for the next three draft cycles and picks for the subsequent draft cycle become eligible for trading upon the start of the upcoming draft.
Why are the Steelers wearing a number 3? ›Pittsburgh honoring Dwayne Haskins during 2022 season after tragic death. The NFL world was rocked in April, when Ohio State standout and Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed at the age of 24 after being struck by a dump truck.
What is number 3 on Steelers? ›PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers will honor Dwayne Haskins, their late teammate, with a No. 3 sticker on the back of their helmets throughout the 2022 season. Haskins died in April when he was struck by a dump truck on Interstate 595 in Florida. A toxicology report found Haskins was legally drunk at the time of his death.
Which college has produced the most Steelers draft picks? ›In general, they have picked about 24 players from the University of Florida over the years. considered Hall of Famers. HB Tom Barnett was selected in 1959 but did not fare as well.
Who has the best NFL Draft 2023? ›PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the 17th pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins on April 27 in Kansas City. The Steelers own seven total picks, including the 32nd pick (first pick in the second round) from the Bears via the trade of Chase Claypool at last year's deadline.