Pittsburgh Steelers: Rookie grades for 2019 season
By Samuel Teets
Round 6
Sutton Smith: F
At Northern Illinois, Smith turned into a defensive wrecking ball. He recorded 56.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and six forced fumbles during his final two seasons in college. Those eye-popping numbers would ordinarily attract plenty of attention, but NFL scouts had concerns about Smith’s size and his ability to transition to the next level.
Their concerns were well-founded. Smith couldn’t get healthy during the preseason, and he fell behind. Smith spent the 2019 season bouncing on and off of Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Perhaps a healthy preseason in 2020 could provide the young man with another shot at the active roster.
Isaiah Buggs: D-
Buggs dominated at Alabama during his senior season. The 6-3 defensive lineman recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his final season with the Crimson Tide. However, none of that production translated to Buggs’ rookie season.
Buggs appeared in nine games for the Steelers, but he never registered more than 15 defensive plays in a single game. He played ten or more defensive snaps in only four games and finished the season with three tackles. With Stephon Tuitt returning from injury in 2020, Buggs’ role on the team could disappear.
Ulysees Gilbert: C-
The 207th overall pick, Gilbert almost didn’t make Pittsburgh’s active roster. However, the Akron product put in work during the preseason. In his four preseason appearances, Gilbert registered 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Pittsburgh made room for Gilbert on the 53-man roster.
Gilbert didn’t see much time on the defense because of Pittsburgh’s linebacker depth, but the rookie did become the team’s most-utilized special teams player. Unfortunately, Gilbert’s season ended after just seven appearances and he landed on injured reserve (IR).
Round 7
Derwin Gray: D-
The Maryland product did not make Pittsburgh’s active roster. However, the Steelers did place Gray on their practice squad. With Pittsburgh’s offensive line aging and some potential changes brewing, Gray could make the 53-man roster in 2020.