PFF Gives Steelers an A+ for Draft Haul

The Steelers’ selection of Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu at 20th overall was tabbed as “good” by PFF.

“There have been questions about whether Fautanu will play inside or outside in the NFL, but he may have landed at the most likely spot where he can play left tackle, his natural position. Fautanu ranked 15th on PFF’s final big board and fifth among all FBS tackles this past season in PFF pass-blocking grade (88.2),” they wrote.

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus named the Steelers, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and the New York Giants secondary as Day 2 winners of the draft.

PFF categorized Frazier and Roman Wilson as “elite” picks.

“Frazier was a four-time state high school wrestling champion, and that background has led to great handwork and body control. His 84.6 PFF grade since 2021 ranks third among FBS centers, and he owns just a 2.27% pressure percentage allowed over the same span,” PFF wrote.

“Wilson was projected to be an early second-rounder. He is an effortless separator with great hands, as evidenced by his one drop on 67 targets and 90th-percentile separation percentage. He easily slots in as a replacement for Diontae Johnson to create explosive plays downfield.”

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks Payton Wilson would have been a first-round pick if it wasn’t for a lengthy injury history. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also revealed that Wilson doesn’t have an ACL in one of his knees.

Despite the durability red flags, PFF thinks labeled Wilson as a “very good” pick.

“The news of Wilson not having an ACL in one knee explains the fall for a first-round talent. If it weren’t for that recent news, this would be an elite grade. Wilson’s grading profile was excellent in 2023, as he put up an 89.9 overall grade and a 90.4 coverage grade. If the lack of an ACL doesn’t prevent him from playing in the NFL, Wilson has everything a team would want in a linebacker: length, intelligence and athleticism. His health is the biggest question mark,” PFF wrote.

The Steelers continued to bolster the offensive line on Day 3 by selecting South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick, the third offensive lineman in their first five picks. Since 2022, McCormick has earned a 90.3 PFF grade, the best among all draft-eligible FBS guards.

With their last two picks, the Steelers scooped up Iowa interior defensive lineman Logan Lee and Texas cornerback Ryan Watts.

“Pittsburgh adds Lee to an interior group that ranked 11th against the run last season. He ranked fifth among Big Ten defensive tackles in run-defense grade (80.4) and fourth in quarterback pressures (28),” PFF wrote.

In regards to Watts, PFF said he allowed just one touchdown from 267 coverage snaps and brings the physicality Steelers fans will love. Watts put up an 84.9 run-defense grade over the last two years, second among Big Ten cornerbacks in that span.