For a long time now, Vincent Frank and I have been using the Pittsburgh Steelers on eDraft Sports Radio as an example of a team that does a good job of building through the draft and maintaining a winning team.  But upon further review, we came to the conclusion that this hasn’t really been the case in recent years.  The team has made some spotty and questionable picks that haven’t panned out or helped the team. 

This year’s draft appears to be no different.  While there are some good picks here, there are also way too many reaches and even a completely wasted pick in the fourth round. 

First Round, 17th Pick: Jarvis Jones - Linebacker, Georgia

Yes he fills a need, but I’m not a big fan of this pick.  I never bought into the Jones hype and definitely feel like this was a reach here.  The Steelers really could’ve used one of the top tier wide receivers still on the board to help strengthen their offense after the departure of Mike Wallace.  That said, Jones does have a lot of potential and could be a good weapon eventually, blitzing from the outside in their 3-4 scheme.  Grade: B-

Second Round, 48th Pick: Le’Veon Bell - Running Back, Michigan State

Obviously the Steelers needed a running back and there were still a ton of talent on the board half-way through the second round.  Don’t get me wrong here, I’m a big fan of Bell, but I just think when players like Eddie Lacey are on the board; this is a reach.  Grade: B

Third Round, 79th Pick: Markus Wheaton - Wide Receiver, Oregon State

By choosing to overlook wide receiver with their first two picks, Pittsburgh missed out on a lot of talent.  That said, they got a tremendous talent here in Wheaton, who we had a late second-round grade on prior to the draft.  He will be able to come in and produce as a rookie, and could be the No. 1 receiver by 2014.  Grade: A

Fourth Round, 111th Pick (from Cleveland Browns): Sharko Thomas - Safety, Syracuse

The Steelers gave up a third-round pick in the 2014 draft in order to jump into the fourth and grab Thomas here.  Thomas was a workout warrior at the combine and we’ll need to see how his talents translate to the field in the NFL.  With Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo still available, this could be considered a bit of a reach, but it’s still a solid pick.  Grade: B

Fourth Round, 115th Pick: Landry Jones - Quarterback, Oklahoma

Every single quarterback still available on the board here was a WAY better option than Jones.  There’s literally no value in this pick - a serious waste.  Grade: D-

Fifth Round, 150th Pick: Terry Hawthorne - Cornerback Illinois

Hawthorne was my sleeper pick of this year’s class and a great value pick here.  He has the skill and potential to be a Pro Bowl cornerback down the road.  Grade: A

Sixth Round, 186th Pick: Justin Brown - Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

Brown wasn’t even in my top 200 prospects and there were way better receivers with better value still available here.  Textbook definition of a reach.  Grade: C-

Sixth Round, 206th Pick: Vince Williams - Linebacker, Florida State

I LOVE this pick.  Williams is a talented outside linebacker who will compete for a starting job out of camp this summer.  I had a high fifth-round grade on Williams, so this is definitely a value.  Grade: A

Seventh Round, 223rd Pick: Nick Williams - Defensive End, Samford

The Steelers were in need of some depth and youth on the defensive line and they got good value here with Williams in the seventh.  Grade: B

Final Grade: B- (83 Percent)