Pittsburgh Steelers: The 2018 NFL Draft Report Card
By Erik Lambert
5th Round: Marcus Allen (S, Penn State) – A-
People will pigeonhole this pick for the primary reason that Marcus Allen isn’t considered the best safety when it comes to playing coverage. Yes, it’s true. He’s not the best. Then again, that was never his game. Allen is at his best around the line of scrimmage. He plays the run really well and is adept at sniffing out screens. If the Steelers play him that way, they have a good player.
5th Round: Jaylen Samuels (RB, N.C. State) – C+
The NFL of today is about diversity. Find as many ways as possible to attack a defense and confuse them. This often requires players who can do several things well. Samuels is not the best running back or fullback, but he’s got enough talent to be decent in both of those roles. He has a chance to become a solid reserve who can plug holes wherever needed.
7th Round: Joshua Frazier (DT, Alabama) – C+
Frazier is the type of player who won’t fit every defense because he does only one thing well. Thankfully that one thing could be of tremendous use to Pittsburgh. Like most Alabama linemen hexcelsls at stopping the run. His big body and strength stand out in these situations. Given how leaky the Steelers have been in that area, this is a solid pick.