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Grading The 2020 Draft Class

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Jordan DeFigio, @fidgenewton SteelerNation.com   In a season that began with a remarkable (and somewhat shocking) 11 straight wins, the*Pittsburgh Steelers fizzled out like a flat Coke – capping off the season with a demeaning 48-37 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Ouch. That still hurts. But the thing that hurts the most is that what […]

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Steeler Nation said:
Jordan DeFigio, @fidgenewton SteelerNation.com   In a season that began with a remarkable (and somewhat shocking) 11 straight wins, the*Pittsburgh Steelers fizzled out like a flat Coke – capping off the season with a demeaning 48-37 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Ouch. That still hurts. But the thing that hurts the most is that what […]

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Good write-up thank you. Thought Claypool deserved an A. Guy tied a Steeler record right? Thought Mcfarland was a D grade at the highest. He just didn't impress overall. Looked lost out there with questionable vision.

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Good write up. I give the overall grade of the class an A-. And, I give Claypool an A. I really don't think we could have expected him to play as well as he did and then for Highsmith and Dotson to seriously step up when needed. Those are 3 future starters without a doubt. Claypool was a stud. They held him back the 2nd half of the year or he might have gotten 100 catches and/or 1,000 yards. If he makes the expected leap from year 1 to year 2, he will be an absolute beast next year. He had a few drops but other than that he was mostly uncoverable. He was mauled on every play the defender was near him and got PI's countless times (and countless more not called) and made some great catches. And, as big and fast as he is, he is NOT a 1 trick pony. For a rookie, his route tree was large and will only grow next year. Highsmith will be better than Bud next year in Bud's first 3 years. And Dotson will start next year as well. Great draft the way I see it.
 
Claypool a B- ? Um, someone help Mr. Defigio out. Claypool offered rare production as a rookie, and has upside left to fill. Tomlin was wrong to " shut him down " among other things,
 
Jordan is a female. And let's not diss the writers that take their time to write articles. You can disagree without doing that right?
Coach said:
Claypool a B- ? Um, someone help Mr. Defigio out. Claypool offered rare production as a rookie, and has upside left to fill. Tomlin was wrong to " shut him down " among other things,
Click to expand...

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Pretty good look at our rookie class. Here's my view.

Chase Claypool: A-
Among rookie receivers ranked 4th in receptions (62), 4th in receiving yards(873), 3rd in YPC among receivers with 30+ receptions (14.1), 1st in receiving touchdowns (9), and had two rushing touchdowns. He came in and was a big play threat from day 1 and developed in other areas as the season progressed and came up with two touchdown receptions in his first ever playoff game. He still has room to grow as a route runner and must improve his hands and attacking the ball, but a terrific year for a 2nd-round pick.

Alex Highsmith A-
While he was a third-round pick, not playing at a major school in a P5 conference meant he would need time to develop. Flashed pass rushing moves early on and you took notice of him nearly every game that he played. All NFL rookie team as an EDGE defender.

Anthony McFarland: D
I know the OL was bad at run blocking, but McFarland's best asset was his speed and he never showed it. Too much jitterbug, not enough hitting the hole. At one of the easier positions to make an impact early on, McFarland was a big disappointment.

Kevin Dotson: B+
A day 3 pick is not expected to start as a rookie, particularly coming from a low-level football school. Dotson impressed and performed as one of our best lineman. Pass protection was good and he seems like he needs to get a bit strong to make more of an impact in run blocking.
 
Claypool A, let's remember he was a 2nd round pick. Huge production for a mid-late 2nd

Highsmith B, surprising pick that proved his worth and then some, nice moves to get pressure, those sacks wll start to accumulate. Needs polishing at holding his gap against the run but that's easier to learn as it comes with experience.

McFarland D-, the little chances he got he didn't make the best of them, heck he screw the pooch most of them

Dotson A, how can you ask more from a late 4th? Another surprising pick that showed Great Scouting, the kid has the looks of a future 10 year vet Steeler for Life.
 
Claypool is an easy A, especially considering he was a 2nd round pick and the Steelers offense was dysfunctional and inept for much of the season. If the 2020 NFL draft was held today, Claypool would be drafted in the first half of the first round. That’s an A.
 
Claypool and Dotson are A's for sure, Dotson was what a 4th round pick, and became a starter and most were saying our best OL down the stretch when Tomlin decided to bench him for a guy that sucked.
 
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