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The Top Ten 2016 NFL Draft Classes

By Brady Lunt

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Picks

  • 25 – Artie Burns, DB, Miami (FL.)
  • 58 – Sean Davis, S, Maryland
  • 72 – Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina St.
  • 123 – Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
  • 220 – Travis Feeney, LB, Washington
  • 229 – Demarcus Ayers, WR, Houston
  • 246 – Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple

While this draft certainly lacked the flair of finding your quarterback of the future, it added several key pieces to a Steeler defense that needed an infusion of youth and upgraded talent. With the Pittsburgh offense playing at a dominant level behind the Killer B’s – Big Ben, Antonio Brown, and LeVeon Bell – the defense needed to elevate their play in order to bring greater balance to this team.

Enter Artie Burns and Sean Davis to help an ailing secondary. Burns was praised for his elite athleticism and while he was considered technically a bit raw, his upside was too high for the Steelers to let him pass the 25th overall pick. Burns finished the year with an impressive 65 tackles and three interceptions. Behind him was Maryland safety Sean Davis. He too racked up some impressive stats, totaling 70 tackles and an interception, and showed off the physicality that made him so intriguing when he entered the draft.

One lesser-known name was third round pick Javon Hargrave. Statistically he’s average for a nose tackle – 27 tackles and two sacks – however he’s performance was for more impressive than these stats would indicate. His effort on the field is unmistakable and despite being a rookie, stepped into the starting nose tackle position and more than held his own. I would expect Hargrave to man that spot for the foreseeable future.

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