The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2014 draft class was expected to be a foundational piece of the team’s future success. However, a decade later, it’s clear that the class did not live up to expectations.
The Steelers’ 2014 draft class was headlined by first-round pick Ryan Shazier, a linebacker from Ohio State. Shazier was expected to be a key contributor to the Steelers’ defense, but his career was unfortunately cut short due to a spinal injury suffered in 2017.
The Steelers also selected cornerback Artie Burns in the first round of the 2016 draft, but he failed to live up to expectations and was released by the team in 2020.
In addition to Shazier and Burns, the Steelers also selected wide receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. Bryant showed promise early in his career, but struggled with injuries and off-field issues, and was eventually released by the team in 2018.
The ripple effects of the Steelers’ 2014 draft misfortunes are still being felt a decade later. The team’s inability to find consistent contributors in the draft has forced them to rely heavily on free agency, which has led to a lack of depth and consistency on the roster.
Furthermore, the Steelers’ struggles in the draft have also led to a lack of leadership and continuity on the team. The team has struggled to find a consistent identity and has lacked the kind of leadership and stability that is typically provided by a strong draft class.
“It’s clear that the Steelers’ 2014 draft class did not live up to expectations,” said Steelers insider, Gerry Dulac. “The team’s inability to find consistent contributors in the draft has forced them to rely heavily on free agency, which has led to a lack of depth and consistency on the roster.”
Despite the struggles of the 2014 draft class, the Steelers have shown signs of improvement in recent years. The team has found success with players like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Najee Harris, who were all selected in the draft.
However, the Steelers still have a long way to go in terms of building a consistent and deep roster. The team will need to continue to make smart decisions in the draft and free agency in order to compete with the top teams in the NFL.
Steelers’ 2014 Draft Class
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State (1st round)
Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson (4th round)
Wesley Johnson, C, Vanderbilt (5th round)
Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA (6th round)
Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee (6th round)
Ripple Effects of the Steelers’ 2014 Draft Misfortunes_
Lack of depth and consistency on the roster
Reliance on free agency to fill roster holes
Lack of leadership and continuity on the team
Struggles to find a consistent identity on the team
Steelers’ Recent Draft Successes
T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin (1st round, 2017)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama (1st round, 2018)
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama (1st round, 2021)
