Tag Archives: Isaiahh Loudermilk

Grading the Steelers 2021 Draft Five Years Later: Why Pittsburgh’s Playoff Drought Deepened

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The picks are in and we’re in the thick of OTAs. Now it’s time to grade the Steelers draft class.

The Steelers 2021 Draft Class.

Yes, 5 years is a long time to wait to grade a draft class, but if a 5-year wait was right for Chuck Noll, then it’s right for me.

The Steelers 2021 Draft Class was Kevin Colbert’s penultimate one and while this draft wasn’t as bad as some of ones that sandwiched it, that isn’t entirely a good thing. Let’s dive into why.

Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris, Steelers vs Bears

Pat Freiermuth and Najee Harris represent the yin and yang of the Steelers 2021 Draft Class. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Round 1 Najee Harris – Another Rookie Tease

Critics condemned Colbert and Mike Tomlin for “Wasting a first rounder on a running back” as soon they drafted Najee Harris.

After holding his draft party at a Bay Area homeless shelter, his rookie season suggested Harris could prove the critics wrong. And then some.

Harris played his rookie year behind an offensive line built with spit, duct tape and bubble gum, yet he still rushed for 1200 yards, scored 7 touchdowns and caught 74 passes for 467 yards.

  • Unfortunately, he failed to build on his rookie success.

Yes, he played well in fits and spurts. Yet at other times he subjected us to “Sludge Ball,” resulting in 3rd and longs which the offense couldn’t convert.

Najee Harris, Steelers vs Chargers

Najee Harris breaks one in the 4th quarter. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

That inconsistency makes it easy to forget his 4 consecutive 1000 yard seasons, his additional 1000 yards receiving, 34 touchdowns and 68 consecutive starts. Those numbers show that the Steelers did get some value out of Najee Harris even if his overall draft grade is Disappointment.

steelers, draft, grades, evaluations, bust, Kevin Colbert

True NFL Draft grades only come with years of hindsight

Round 2 Pat Freiermuth – Muuth!

If Najee Harris spent his rookie season teasing that he might live up to his first-round status, Steelers fans watched 2nd round pick Pat Freiermuth during his rookie year and asked if he might be the next Heath Miller.

Pat Freiermuth, Jordan Battle, Steelers vs Bengals, Steelers vs Bengals TNF

Pat Freiermuth stiff arms Jordan Battle en route to the end zone. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Truthfully, Pat Freiermuth hasn’t and will likely never reach that level. Instead, at a time when the Steelers have fielded some outright JV offenses, Freiermuth has always been a consistent Varsity player. Grade: Over Performer

Round 3 Kendrick Green – It Isn’t Easy Being Green

Anyone who ever needs a reminder of why you never want to enter an NFL draft with an absolute need to pick a starter, look no further than Kendrick Green.

Thanks to Maurkice Pouncey’s surprise retirement while the Steelers were in Salary Cap Armageddon the Steelers were forced to draft a starting center in the 2021 NFL draft. So they drafted Kendrick Green.

Kendrick Green struggled until Mike Tomlin benched him for J.C. Hassenauer in week 16. Green made the roster in 2022, but never earned a game day helmet.

The Steelers gave him some work at fullback at St. Vincents in the summer of 2023. But he couldn’t do enough to prove he needed a roster spot, so they traded Green to the Houston Texans where he’s started four games. Grade: Bust

Round 4 Dan Moore – More Than Expected

The Steelers didn’t only need to draft a starting-capable center in the 2021 NFL Draft, they also needed a tackle. So they drafted Dan Moore Jr. in the 4th round. Dan Moore won the left tackle starting job in training camp, and then proceeded to start all but one game for the next four years.

  • Moore suffered growing pains, and could never make the shift to playing right tackle.

But he improved with each passing year, although not enough to deter the Steelers from drafting Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. But drafting an offensive tackle in the 4th round who becomes an immediate starter and then proceeds to start 66 games is an outstanding success by any measure. Grade: Over Performer

Round 4: Buddy Johnson — The 4th Round Throw Away

As a non-draftnic all Steelers draft picks start with a clean slate. I do listen to experts, but take their wisdom with a grain of salt. Still, the eye rolls that accompanied Buddy Johnson’s pick perked up my ears.

  • And it didn’t take long to understand the eye rolls.

Buddy Johnson appeared in 4 games for the Steelers as a rookie, played 6 defensive snaps and 59 special teams snaps. The Steelers cut him the next summer. So fellow 4th rounder Dan Moore made 66 starts whereas Buddy Johnson played 65 total snaps. Grade: Bust

Round 5: Isaiahh Loudermilk – The Rookie Tease

With no 5th round pick, the Steelers traded their 2022 4th rounder to grab Isaiahh Loudermilk. The Steelers drafted Isaiahh Loudermilk counting on having both Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu.

  • Tuitt never played a down and Alualu was lost after just 6 quarters.

Thanks to those injuries, Loudermilk got playing time immediately. And in hindsight, it is easy to forget that Loudermilk actually had a fairly promising rookie year, batting down 3 passes, and recording a sack while playing 29% of the defensive snaps.

  • But like Najee Harris, Loudermilk failed to build on his rookie year.

He averaged about 19% of the defensive snaps over the next three years, and his career highlight was blocking a field goal in the 2024 Sunday Night Football loss to Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys. The Steelers brought him back for a 5th year, but he got injured after two games. Grade: Disappointment

Round 6: Quincy Roche – The Preseason Flasher

Quincy Roche started the summer off at St. Vincents strong enough for Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell to include him in a group of rookies who were “are rounding out another exceptional draft.”

By summer’s end, the Steelers coaches didn’t quite agree, as they cut Quincy Roche hoping to sneak him on the practice squad.

The New York Giants signed him, and Roche appeared in 14 games, made 3 starts, recording 2.5 sacks.

Alas, he spent his second year bouncing on and off New York’s practice squad and was cut loose in January. The Steelers brought him back to Pittsburgh, but his highlight was getting pancaked during Friday Night Lights by “fullback” Kendrick Green. He got cut 25 days later. Grade: Bust

Round 7a – Tre Norwood – Short-Term Swiss Army Knife

Officially the Steelers drafted Tre Norwood as a safety, but Mike Tomlin immediately labeled him a “Swiss Army Knife” indicating that he’d play both safety and corner. Tre Norwood saw action in all 17 games as a rookie, logging a full third of the defensive snaps.

Tre Norwood tops off Ben Roethlisberger's final game at Heinz Field by intercepting Baker Mayfield's pass after Minkah Fitzpatrick tipped it his way.

Tre Norwood intercepts a Baker Mayfield pass at the end of Ben Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field. Photo Credit: Caitlyn Epee, Steelers.com

While no one was suggesting a name change to Donnie Polamalu or Troy Shell the early returns were good, with Norwood deflecting four passes and hauling in an interception to secure Ben Roethlisberger’s final win at Heinz Field.

Like other members of the Steelers 2021 Draft class, Norwood never sustained his rookie momentum, and was gone after 2022. Grade: Serviceable Pickup

Round 7b:  Pressley Harvin III — Mr. Inconsistency

The Steelers used their final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Pressley Harvin III, a punter out of Georgia Tech, hoping to find a long-term upgrade at the position. Pressley Harvin punted for 3 seasons, was good at times, but he lacked consistency and was gone after 2023. Grade: Disappointment.

Steelers 2021 Draft Class Helps Explain, Extend Playoff Drought

When the 2021 Steelers unexpectedly made the playoffs, Jim Wexell’s initial assessment of “another exceptional draft” looked smart. Everyone, except Kendrick Green and Buddy Johnson had shown concrete reasons for hope – as had Roche with the Giants.

  • Sadly, only Pat Freiermuth and Dan Moore built on their rookie success.

The others did enough to hang on as backups, or even starters, but none developed into anything exceptional. In many ways, his draft class was similar to the Steelers 2018 Draft Class, which set the seeds for stagnation.

For its part, the Steelers 2021 Draft Class deepened the roots of the franchise’s current playoff drought by adding players who, with the exception of Freiermuth, never developed into differnece-makers and who instead excelled at being ordinary. Overall grade: C.

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5 Steelers Draft Lessons Omar Khan Must Apply in the 2026 NFL Draft

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The 2026 NFL Draft is days away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting on a mother lode of draft picks. Thanks to trades, compensatory picks and hoarding his own, Omar Khan has 12 choices at his disposal in the upcoming draft.

  • Those picks open many possibilities for Pittsburgh.

But to be successful, the Steelers brain trust must make wise decisions. With that in mind, let’s take a look at lessons Steelers draft history teaches us.

This is the latest article in our Steelers 2026 Draft coverage.

Omar Khan, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan, Photo Credit: Nola.com

1. Challenge Conventional Wisdom on Compensatory Picks

Omar Khan is already learning this lesson in real time. Last spring Khan’s focus in free agency was to stockpile compensatory picks so he could trade up in what was supposed to be a QB-rich draft.

“Stockpile compensatory picks Khan has, but QB poor has this draft turned out to be,” in Yoda speak.

  • Other drafts teach a similar lesson.

The Steelers went into the 1998 draft with 14 picks. Tom Donahoe made no bones about trading some of those, boasting, “There’s no way 14 rookies can make our team.”

Donahoe was right. It’s near-impossible to imagine 14 rookies making any non-expansion NFL roster. Yet, Donahoe’s claim was laced with a touch of latent arrogance.

Stub from April 1st 1998 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette detailing the Steelers compensatory draft picks.

Stub from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 1, 1998. Thanks to Gordon Gordon Dedman, @SteelUK for supplying this.

Free agent exoduses had been the norm in Pittsburgh throughout the 1990s. The 1997 Steelers AFC Championship loss seemed to have proven franchise could defy gravity. Instead, 1998 was the year the Steelers came crashing back down to earth.

Now, several things led to Bill Cowher’s first losing season in 1998, but a wiser use of draft choices could have helped avert that (see below.)

2. Initial Story Lines Come with a Grain of Salt

The NFL Draft is such a successful media event because its core product is hope. And best way to sell hope is with a good story. And that’s perfectly fine, as long as you remember that many of the initial stories spawned on draft day won’t come to fruition, or at least not the way you expect them to.

When the Steelers drafted him, Chris Berman and company mused about whether Ward’s arrival heralded the advent of Slash II. (“Slash” is of course Kordell Stewart, whose play as a QB/WR/RB helped propel the 1995 Steelers all the way to Super Bowl XXX.)

Ward after all had played quarterback and running back in addition to wide receiver at Georgia. Both the Post-Gazette and Tribune Review ran articles exploring the “Slash” angle.

Hines Ward, Super Bowl XL, Steelers Super Bowl XL, Antwaan Randle El Hines Ward Super Bowl XL

Hines Ward seals the win in Super Bowl XL. Photo Credit: Bill Frakes, Sports Illustrated

They were great draft-day stories, and Ward authored a Hall of Fame-worthy resume which included his MVP performance in Super Bowl XL. But he only threw two passes in his NFL career.

3. Good Drafts Age Like Fine Wine

To borrow from Eddie Van Halen, a “Right Here, Right Now” mentality dominates the NFL draft.

People go to the inane extent of grading mock drafts. Before the ink on draft cards even dries, we’re bombarded by “draft grades.”

That’s fun. It generates clicks. But no amount of page views can alter the simple reality that judging a draft takes several years. Tom Donahoe’s final drafts in Pittsburgh prove that point.

Dan Rooney, Dan Rooney decisions, Tom Donahoe, Bill Cowher, Tom Modark, Steelers 1992 Draft

Tom Donahoe, Tom Modark, Dan Rooney and Bill Cowher in the Steelers 1992 draft room. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

Dan Rooney fired Tom Donahoe after the 1999 Steelers finished 6-10. Rooney’s main reason was that Donahoe and Cowher were barely on speaking terms. But at the time, many also questioned Donahoe’s personnel decisions, particularly his recent drafts.

The 1998 and 1999 drafts brought Alan Faneca, Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, Joey Porter, Sr. and Aaron Smith to Pittsburgh. Today, we see them as foundational players of the Steelers second Super Bowl Era.

  • But that would have been a hard sell when Kevin Colbert was hired in 2000.

Aaron Smith was an unknown. Joey Porter Sr. was the pre-season sensation that Carlos Emmons had kept on the bench. Deshea Townsend had started 4 games and wouldn’t start full-time until Dick LeBeau returned in 2004.

Kevin Colbert actively tried to replace Hines Ward in his first draft and, in the pages of the Steelers Digest, Bob Labriola was raising questions, albeit in measured tones, about Alan Faneca.

Yes. Like Riglos Gran Crote, good drafts age well with time.

4. Measure Drafts by Quality, Not Quantity

True to his word, Tom Donahoe didn’t draft 14 players, trading a 2nd, a 3rd and a 5th to move up to get Jeremy Staat in the 2nd round. So Donahoe gave up 3 picks to get one player who made 2 career starts. Anyone of those picks could have been to add a much-needed offensive tackle or wide receiver.

On the flip side, the Steelers picked 13 players in the 2003 and 2004 drafts. And collectively, those drafts only yielded 4 starters. Sounds pretty damning doesn’t it? Well, it does, until you consider that those starters were Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Max Starks and Ben Roethlisberger.

Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, AFC Championship

Ben Roethlisberger hugs Troy Polmalu after the AFC Championship. Photo Credit: Pin Interest

The Steelers don’t win either Super Bowl XL or Super Bowl XLIII if they’re missing any one of those players. Joe Flacco, Matt Hasselbeck or Ken Whisenhunt would all agree.

The lesson for Omar Khan? When in doubt, draft the next Hall of Famer.

5. Steelers Should be Swindlers Not Suckers

Like their predecessors, there’s little chance Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy will draft 12 players later this week. Khan, as we know, likes to wheel-and-deal.

And while most of the focus is on who Khan should trade up for, where he should do it and how much he should give up, the Steelers would be wise try to trade 2026 picks for picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.

How might this dynamic play out? Khan’s own words from the George Pickens trade press conference guide us. This is how Khan explained the value of draft picks:

But, yeah, when you’re, the day of the draft or going through the draft, every one of those picks feels like they’re the greatest pick. You don’t want to get rid of them. They’re valuable. They’re all important.

Here’s the simple English take away: Suckers are born every minute in the NFL draft.

  • The Steelers have been suckers in the past.

During the 2013 NFL Draft, Steelers traded their 2014 third round pick for a 2013 4th rounder get Shamarko Thomas (Ouch!). In the 2021 NFL Draft they traded their 2022 fourth rounder to get a 2021 5th rounder to draft Isaiahh Loudermilk (ouch!)

It takes two to tango — Khan can’t simply snap his fingers and turn one (or two) of the Steelers 2026 thirds in to 2027 seconds. Moreover, the Bengals-Giants Dexter Lawrence trade suggests there’ll be a buyer’s market in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Sounds like its time for someone to go out and remind us why we call him the Khan artist…..

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Free Agency Tracker

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NFL free agency is almost upon us, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been quiet thus far.

Sure, Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan seem set on dropping Will Howard’s name whenever the opportunity arises, and trampling down any Pat Freiermuth trade rumors, but the Steelers have not made any roster moves aside from signing players to “futures” contracts.

Omar Khan, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan, Photo Credit: Nola.com

All of which promises to make the next 2-3 weeks interesting because the Steelers have one of the largest free agent classes in recent memory, ample salary cap space and an estimated 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One way or another, things look set to get busy in the Steel City very, very soon.

Here is a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers unrestricted and restricted free agents.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Unrestricted Free Agents

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
Calvin Austin III, Wide Receiver
Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back
James Pierre, Cornerback
Isaac Seumalo, Guard
Connor Heyward, Tight End
Miles Killebrew, Special Teams (Strong Safety)
Scotty Miller, Wide Receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver
Skylar Thompson, Quarterback
Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback
Kyle Dugger, Strong Safety
Chuck Clark, Strong Safety,
Jabrill Peppers, Strong Safety,
Cole Holcomb, Inside Linebacker
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive End
Jack Driscoll, Offensive Tackle
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive Tackle
Dean Lowry, Defensive End
Donald Parham, Tight End
Andrus Peat, Offensive Line
Max Scharping, Guard
Adam Thielen, Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Restricted Free Agents

OL Ryan McCollum
LB Jeremiah Moon
DE Esezi Otomewo
P Corliss Waitman

Check back as we’ll link to player profiles and include updates on signings and departures as they become available.

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Double Dip! Steelers Draft Yahya Black in 5th Round of 2025 NFL Draft

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The Steelers drafted Yahya Black in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft marking a double-dip on defensive line and making him the second Iowa Hawkeye taken by the time after having picked Kaleb Johnson in the 3rd.

Yahya Black, Yahya Black Steelers 5th round 2025 draft pick

Yahya Black chases Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Photo Credit: Rob Howe, Hawkeye Nation

The Steelers took Black after trading down from No. 156 to No. 164, giving up their original pick and getting the Chief’s 7th rounder in the process.

Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar wouldn’t pigdeon hole where on the line Black would play, although is body type would suggest he’s more of an interior lineman. Black is open to anything, explaining, “At the end of the day, I’m really just going to play wherever they need me. They have a good group, so wherever I fit in I’ll go with that.”

Yahya Black Video Highlights

Here’s a quick look at some of Black’s handiwork with the Hawkeyes

The pecking order at the top of the Steelers defensive line depth chart is pretty clear. Cam Heyward stands at the top, with Keeanu Benton behind him, and 2025’s first round pick Derrick Harmon expected to join them.

After that, things get muddled. Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry are the most tenured members of the group, but none of the three is assured a roster spot. Behind them are free agent arrivals Daniel Ekuale, Esezi Otomewo and 2024’s 6th round pick Logan Lee who is coming back from an injury.

The arrival of Jack Sawyer likely means that DeMarvin Leal will also focus more on defensive line.

  • So there’s a glut of names at the bottom of the depth chart, but no one really sticks out.

In contrast to the outside linebacking crops, the defensive line doesn’t have its own Nick Herbig, who is a clear up and coming. And that means that Yahya Black has a real chance to distinguish himself on the fields of St. Vincents.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Yahya Black.

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Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Defensive Line – In a Word, “Urgent”

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ICYMI the Baltimore Ravens ridiculed the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 Wild Card game. The ridiculing came in many forms and fashions, but one number stands out:

299

That’s 299 yards rushing against the Steelers logged by Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.

While it is grossly unfair to lay the blame for that fiasco solely on the shoulders of the Steelers defensive line, there’s no question the solution to fixing it begins by strengthen that group.

Cam Heyward, Montravius Adams, Steelers vs Falcons, Kirk Cousin

Cam Heyward and Montravius Adams fold up Kirk Cousins. Photo Credit: AP, via Tribune-Review

Steelers Defensive Line Depth Cart: The Starters

The only question about Cam Heyward as he returns for his 15th season is how long can he outrun father time? Cam Heyward hasn’t just been a dominant defensive lineman who has earned mention alongside franchise legends Ernie Stautner and Joe Greene, he’s become the face of the franchise.

Cam Heyward, Cam Heyward Franco Harris Number 32, Steelers vs Raiders

Paying homage to Franco, Cam Heyward leads Steelers out of tunnel. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

On the field he remains productive and he remains a leader.  In 2024 Heyward recorded 8 sacks, 20 QB hits, 12 tackles for losses while batting down 11 passes.

Alongside Heyward, the Steelers have Keeanu Benton, whom they drafted in 2023. Benton authored a sensational rookie year, teasing that the franchise finally might have found somebody worthy of wearing Number 95.

Yet he struggled to build on that during his second season, as his stat line is almost identical to the first, despite making 5 more starts and playing almost 50% more of the defensive snaps. The Steelers waived their third defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, creating an opening on the line with no obvious heir apparent on the roster.

Steelers Defensive Line Depth Chart: The Backups

Montravius Adams heads up the defensive line depth chart. Adams arrived after a bit of practice squad poaching during the 2021 season and immediately became a starter. Adams is a solid depth player who can contribute in a pintch but will never worry opposing offensive line coaches.

Much can be said about Isaiahh Loudermilk, who had a solid rookie year, but plateaued thereafter.

Dean Lowry remains on the roster at this point, after the 8 year veteran played 12 games and logged 21% of the defensive snaps during 2024.

The Steelers signed a pair of journeymen defensive lineman in free agency. Daniel Ekuale brings 6 years, 57 games and 21 starts of experience from stints in Cleveland, Jacksonville and New England. He started 16 games last year for the Patriots, logging a sack and 52 tackles.

Esezi Otomewo brings 9 games and 2 years of experience with the Vikings and Jaguars as a defensive end.

The Steelers will also welcome back Logan Lee, whom they drafted in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft but lost to injury for the season during preseason. They also have Domenique Davis and Jacob Slade listed as defensive lineman on their off season roster.

If the Steelers have a wild card on their defensive line depth chart it is DeMarvin Leal. The Steelers drafted Leal as a defensive end in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He didn’t play much as a rookie, but passed the “eye test” in limited action. Yet he was invisible his second year. In 2024 he got a look at outside linebacker but was lost for the year with a neck stinger.

The Steelers 2025 Draft Needs @ Defensive Line

Omar Khan went off-script this spring. Normally when the Steelers have a glaring need going into the off season, the team signs a free agent even if it plans to prioritize that position in the draft.Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs Scale

Think back to 2019, when they signed Mark Barron and then drafted Devin Bush.

Not only did they not sign a starter capable or potentially starter-capable defensive lineman, they cut Ogunjobi. In an ideal world, the Steelers would find a someone who can play nose tackle allowing Benton to move outside, but they must find a starter.

And if they weren’t missing their second-rounder, a double-dip at defensive line in the top three rounds of the draft certainly won’t be out of the question. After all, the Steelers not only need a starter for this year, but they need to start thinking of who will take Cam Heyward’s place.

No matter how you slice it the Pittsburgh Steelers needs at defensive line going into the 2025 NFL Draft must be considered as Urgent.

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Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Free Agent Tracker

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Free Agency started on Monday March 10th at noon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered free agency with as much as much to lose as they do have to gain.

The Steelers have 17 players set to become free agents. Omar Khan has over 60 million dollars in salary cap money to spend, with the ability to increase that quickly and easily with restructures and extensions. Yet, the team has been cautious.

  • If anyone is panicking over the Steelers lack of a quarterback, they’re not on the South Side.

Beyond that, the Steelers have seen far more free agents depart for greener patures than they have extended the welcome mat to.

steelers press conference,

Is Omar Khan stockpiling compensatory picks? That may not be his intent, but thus far that’s the end-product of his approach to free agency as the legal tampering period comes to an end.

Steelers 2024 Pickups During Free Agency

Jaylen Warren, Running Back
Extended 2nd round Restricted Free Agent Tender
Ryan McCollum, Center
Extended an Exclusive Rights Free Agent tender
D.K. Metcalf
Traded their 2nd round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft for D.K. Metcalf who signed a 4 year extension
Kenneth Gainwell, running back
Signed the former Philadelphia Eagles running back to a 1 year deal.
Malik Harrison, Inside Linebacker
Signs a 2-year, 10 million dollar contract to leave the Baltimore Ravens.
Brandin Echols, Cornerback
Signs with Steelers from the New York Jets, terms undisclosed.
Darius Slay, Cornerback
Signs 1-year, 10 million dollar contract after getting cut from Philadelphia Eagles.
Mason Rudolph, Quarterback
Signs 2-year, 8 million dollar contract.
Scotty Miller, Wide Receiver
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Ben Skowronek, Wide Receiver
Signs 2-year deal, 4.5 million dollar contract.
Daniel Ekuale, Defensive End
Signs with Steelers from the New England Patriots
Juan Thornhill, Safety
Signs 1-year deal from the Cleveland Browns
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive line
Signs 1-year deal, presumptively at the veteran minimum.
Esezi Otomewo, defensive lineman
Signs 1-year contract, presumptively at the veteran minimum, from the Jacksonville Jaguars

Steelers 2024 Free Agent Losses


Justin Fields, Quarterback
Signed 2 year, 40 million dollar deal with the New York Jets
Donte Jackson, Cornerback
Signed 2 year, 13 million dollar contract with San Die er um Los Angeles Chargers
Dan Moore, Offensive Tackle
Signed 4 year, 82 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Najee Harris, Running Back
Signs 1 year, 9.25 million dollar contract with Los Angeles Chargers
Elandon Roberts, Inside Linebacker
Signs 1 year, 3 million dollar contract with Las Vegas Raiders
James Daniels, Guard
Signs 3 year 24 million dollar contract with Miami Dolphins
Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 2.5 million dollar contract with Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver
Signs 1 year, 7 million dollar contract to return to the Los Angeles Chargers
Nate Herbig, Guard/Center
Signs 1 year deal with Washington Commanders

Steelers 2024 Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents

Russell Wilson, Quarterback
Cam Sutton, Cornerback
MyCole Pruitt, Tight End
Kyle Allen, Quarterback
Tyler Matakevich, Inside Linebacker/Special Teams
Damontae Kazee, Safety

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Jeremiah Moon, Outside Linebacker

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Trading Up for Isaiahh Loudermilk Was a Mistake by the Steelers. But, Should He Be Done in Pittsburgh?

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are conservative about making draft-day trades involving future draft picks. So when they do it raises eyebrows and turns heads. This was the reaction when they traded up for Shamarko Thomas in 2013.

When they did it again in 2021 with Isaiahh Loudermilk triggered memories of that ill-fated draft-day trade.

As he reaches free agency, there’s no question that, like Shamarko Thomas before him, Loudermilk clearly hasn’t been worth trading up for. The question remains, can anything be salvaged with an extended stay in Pittsburgh?

Isaiahh Loudermilk, James Conner, Steelers vs Cardinals

Isaiahh Loudermilk tackles James Conner. Photo Credit: SteelersNOW.com

Profile of Isaiahh Loudermilk’s  Steelers Career

When the Steelers traded their 2022 4th round pick for the Dolphin’s 2021 5th round pick and drafted Isaiahh Loudermilk, little did they know that their defense line was about to fall off a cliff. First Stephon Tuitt retired. And then, 5 quarters into the season, Tyson Alualu was lost.

Suddenly, the Steelers defensive line was down to Cam Heyward playing alongside a bunch of J.V. defensive lineman whose names no one remembers. Loudermilk got pressed into service sooner than expected appearing in 15 games clocking in at 29% of the defensive snaps.

  • And the early look on Loudermilk was good.

In his rookie year he batted down 3 passes, recorded a sack and logged 23 tackles – not bad for a 5th round draft pick, right? Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell even flirted with the idea that Loudermilk reminded him a bit of a young Aaron Smith.

Unfortunately, Loudermilk had difficulty building on that, as he averaged below 20% of defensive snaps for 2022 and 2023. While Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton’s arrivals had a lot to do with that, Loudermilk failed to push either man for playing time.

Loudermilk’s snap count did increase in 2024, but he only registered 1 more tackle than 2023. He’s also been a regular contributor on special teams, highlighted by his block of Brandon Aubrey’s field goal attempt in the Steelers loss to the Cowboys.

The Case for the Steelers Resigning Isaiahh Loudermilk

Let’s embrace the elephant in the room: Isaiahh Loudermilk has not proved himself worthy of trading a future 4th round pick in order to get him in the 5th round.

But that’s not his fault any more than it was Matt Spaeth’s fault that the Steelers traded up to the third round to grab him. If you view Loudermilk as solely on his status as a 5th-round draft pick who has developed into a serviceable back up and solid special teamer you see him in a different light.

That makes him the perfect “…He knows the system” veteran that you resign at the veteran minimum for depth and to staff special teams.

The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Isaiahh Loudermilk

The good news is that the Steelers defensive line has improved since suffering its historic lows of the Loudermilk’s rookie season. The bad new is that there’s scant evidence to show that Loudermilk has contributed to that improvement. Worse yet, the 2024 NFL playoffs reinforced the reality that the Steelers defensive line is a long, long way away from being championship caliber.

Has Loudermilk shown us any evidence to suggest that he can be a component of a championship caliber NFL defensive line?

No he hasn’t.

Ergo Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin should like Loudermilk walk and find this generation’s Nick Eason or Travis Kirschke elsewhere.

Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Isaiahh Loudermilk

Defensive line is clearly Pittsburgh’s biggest need in the 2025 off season. They must add quality and quantity. An ideal scenario would see them adding a 3-down capable nose tackle or a pure defensive end capable of taking Cam Heyward’s place. And, if they could find someone capable of replacing Larry Ogunjobi either now or in the future that would be even better.

Loudermilk’s fate likely hinges on how the draft unfolds for the Steelers.

If the Steelers come out of the 2025 NFL Draft with 3 new defensive lineman, Loudermilk likely gets caught up in a numbers game. If they don’t then he’ll likely get return for at or near the veteran minimum.

 

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Steelers Report Card for 2024 Loss to Eagles – No Points for Progress Edition

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Taken from the grade book of a teacher who isn’t giving points for progress here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the 2024 loss to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Patrick Queen, Jalen Hurts, Steelers vs Eagles

Patrick Queen tries in vain to close in on Jalen Hurts. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson 14 of 22 for 128 yards and 1 touchdown presents a half-full/half empty situation. On the one hand, the started the game throwing at a lot of air. On the other, he was extremely a crafty in leading the first touchdown drive and he looked to be setting up to do another before the fumble. Justin Fields converted his lone rushing attempt. The Steelers lost this game for many reasons. Quarterback play was not one of them. Grade: BSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Take in these numbers: 14, 12, and 9. Almost looks like a halftime junior high school basketball stat sheet. But those were actually the rushing totals of Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. Russell Wilson actually had a better rushing average than 2 of the 3 running backs. True, the Steelers were behind the gun much of the game limiting opportunities. And the line’s blocking was subpar. But the Steelers needed more from their running backs and the fumble was fatal. Grade: F

Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth led the unit with 3 catches for 22 yards – but don’t be deceived, his touchdown was one of the best “combat catches” you’ll ever see. He was the only other tight end to get a target or a carry. Snap counts indicate that Darnell Washington and Mycole Pruitt were on the field a lot and that being the case, the team needed more from a blocking perspective. Grade: C-

Wide Receivers
Calvin Austin led the unit with 5 catches for 65 yards, making an incredible catch on the flea-flicker. Ben Skowronek was next with 1 catch for 17 yards, Mike Williams had 1 catch for 15 yards. Scotty Miller had one failed target (thanks replay assist) and Van Jefferson had 1 catch for zero yards. These guys try hard, but grades some from results, not effort. Grade: F

Offensive Line
After turning in a number of strong performances, the Steelers offensive line slipped. Russell Wilson was only sacked twice, and hit a total of four times, but he had several passes bad at the line of scrimmage, and the running game struggled. Grade: D

Defensive Line
Cam Heyward led the unit in tackles with five, Keeanu Benton followed with four while Montravius Adams and Isaiahh Loudermilk each had 2. The Steelers contained Saquon Barkley and the line had a huge role in making that happen. Still, the defense lost containment on Jalen Hurts too many times, and those took a their toll. Grade: C-

Linebackers
T.J. Watt almost single-handedly got the Steelers into the game, with his forced fumble and multiple sacks in the second half. Alex Highsmith also got in the act with a sack. If the Steelers linebackers deserve credit for containing the Eagles ground attack, they also deserve blame for losing containment on Hurts and allowing the Eagles’ short-medium passing game to work so well. Grade: C-

Secondary
The good news is that A.J. Brown did not burn the Steelers secondary the way he had 2 years ago. The bad news is that he and DeVonta Smith subjected them to a case of death by 100 cuts as both men topped 100 yards. Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre and Minkah Fitzpatrick all had good individual plays. But the Eagles had a 20-minute time of possession advantage on a night when their All Pro running back looked mortal. They also converted 10 of 17 third downs. Grade: F

Special Teams
Mark Robinson’s fumble was a heads up play that should have sparked the offense. Cordarrelle Patterson did well on his kick returns. The Steelers kick and punt coverage was solid, but not spectacular. Chris Boswell was perfect, bounced extra point notwithstanding, and Corliss Waitman had a good night punting. The penalty on the field goal could have been catastrophic. Thanks to defense it wasn’t, but that brings the group grade down. Grade: B-

Mark Robinson, Cooper DeJeanSteelers vs Eagles, Mark Robinson forced fumble Cooper DeJean

Mark Robinson forces a Cooper DeJan Fumble. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Coaching
A few weeks ago, after the Cleveland loss we said that the whole of the Steelers offense was less than the sum. Arthur Smith, in subsequent games rectified that.

  • But his running game was still a sore spot.
  • And it was glaring weakness against the Eagles.

How many third and 7 or more did the Steelers face. Throughout the season we’ve seen Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and even Cordarrelle Patterson have their moments. But no back has achieved any level of consistency.

This is a contrast from this point in 2023 and even 2022 when you could make a strong case that either Harris and Warren should start. But platooning them was the smart move.

  • Is platooning them part of the problem today?

I don’t know but Smith had better figure it out quickly, because this offense cannot compete without George Pickens

Let’s credit Teryl Austin for containing the man who is having the most dominating season for a running back that the NFL has seen in a generation. Let’s also credit Austin for keeping a lid on the Eagles offense and limiting their longest catch to 22 yards.

  • But it is fair to ask if that came at the cost giving up too many short and medium passes.

The Steelers were actually in this game until the very end even though the Eagles out-executed them by a mile. Credit and blame Mike Tomlin for both. NFL games don’t award partial credit for “showing your work.” Grade: F

Unsung Hero Award
Everyone know Philadelphia was going to try to feed the ball to Barkley. Containing him was a team effort, but there was one players whose number kept showing up throughout the night, and for that Patrick Queen wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers loss to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

 

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Steelers Report Card for Win over Ravens – “Hard Fast and Together” Edition

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Taken from the gradebook of a teacher pleased to see his students playing “hard, fast, and together” here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the 2024 win over the Ravens at Acrisure.

Payton Wilson, Justice Hill, Payton Wilson interception, Steelers vs Ravens

Payton Wilson intercepts a Lamar Jackson pass. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Quarterbacks
If last week Russell Wilson probably played a little better than his stats indicated, this the reverse is probably true. Wilson went 23-36-204-0-1 with the Red Zone interception and inability to score touchdowns weighing him down. Still, Wilson shook off the interception and led the drive to secure the winning score. Justin Fields took 3 snaps, going for 8 and 9-yard runs but began his slide a step too soon. Grade: C+Steelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
The eye test says that Najee Harris ran better than his 63 yards on 18 carries would indicate. He had a few long ones, and got the one-yarder that the team needed. Jaylen Warren only got the ball 9 times, but turned those into 41 yards and looked strong doing it. Both backs caught 4 balls each, which was critical to the passing game’s success. Cordarrelle Patterson had one rush for zero yards. Grade: B-

Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth had 2 catches for 14 yards as the breakout game he’s “supposed” to have with Wilson throwing the ball has yet to materialize. Darnell Washington had two catches for 42 yards and looked like a weapon, although he could have made a play on the ball during Wilson’s ill-advised end zone pass. Grade: B-

Wide Receivers
George Pickens led the unit with 8 catches for 89 yards an showed himself to be a threat from the slot and in short yardage. He didn’t come down with a 50/50 ball in the end zone, but there’s a reason why these are 50/50 balls. All other Steelers receivers struggled. Calvin Austin had one catch for negative yards and a sideline drop. Van Jefferson had a drop in the Red Zone.  Ben Skowronek had one catch for 4 yards. Grade: C-

Offensive Line
Russell Wilson was sacked four times although a some of those were coverage sacks. The running backs had a tough go of it, but Baltimore’s front 7 is known for stopping the run. Broderick Jones was flagged twice for holding. Grade: C

Defensive Line
Derrick Henry came into the game averaging an inhuman 6.1 yards per carry. The Steelers held in to 5 yards a carry, but if you take away is long run that drops to 2.8. That is phenomenal. Larry Ogunjobi led the defensive line with tackles, followed by Cam Heyward who deflected two passes. Keeanu Benton was in on key stops and Isaiahh Loudermilk played well. Grade: A

Linebackers
Nick Herbig forced a turnover on the second play of the game and played a major role in disrupting Lamar Jackson’s run on the 2 point conversion. Patrick Queen forced another turnover and was a major force in stopping the run. After flying just under the radar Payton Wilson’s interception turned what should have been a game-changer for the Ravens into a game-changer for the Steelers. T.J. Watt “only” had a sack and a decisive tackle of Henry behind the line of scrimmage. Grade: A

T.J. Watt, Derrick Henry, Steelers vs Ravens

T.J. Watt stones Derrick Henry for a loss. Photo Credit: Karl Roser, Steelers.com

Secondary
Joey Porter Jr. stopped Lamar Jackson and almost shut down Zay Flowers. DeShon Elliott recovered the first forced fumble and again made everyone wonder why his other teams didn’t want him. While the splash play eludes Minkah Fitzpatrick, he contained at least two plays that reached the second level that would have otherwise been touchdowns. Grade: A

Special Teams
The Steelers punt return coverage was solid, although their kick return coverage shows why they should just put it in the end zone when they can. Calvin Austin was decent on returns, and Corliss Waitman boomed off punts. And of course, Chris Boswell was 6-6 on field goals, including knocking in 3 from over 50 yards. Grade: A-

Coaching
For the second time in 10 games, Arthur Smith’s offense couldn’t find the end zone. That’s not good.

But credit Smith for two things. First, when he saw that the long passing game wasn’t working, he ditched it at halftime and began to call shorter passes to backs and tight ends. He also used George Pickens in the slot. While the Steelers offense sputtered at times, it did quietly amass a 36:22 to 23:38 time of possession advantage.

The Baltimore Ravens arrived at Acrisure Stadium with an offense that led the NFL in points-per-game, total yards, rushing offense and Red Zone offense.

  • Teryl Austin’s defense humbled them.

Lamar Jackson has looked like Superman against the rest of the NFL this season. Versus the Steelers he looked more like Jimmy Olsen. Oh, and Austin’s defense force 3 turnovers, all at critical moments in the game.

Dean Lowry, Lamar Jackson, Steelers vs Ravens

Dean Lowry deflects a Lamar Jackson pass. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

The Steelers have a young team coming off of an emotional high of a big road win against an up and coming NFC power. That’s a prime backstory for a let down.

Mike Tomlin had his team focused, hitting hard and kept them in that mindset from start to finish. Grade: B+

Unsung Hero Award
He arrived in Pittsburgh as one of those, “Hum. Nice to have a guess” guys in free agency. We heard his name before this season, albeit on special teams. He played a hair less than 1/3 of the defensive snaps, but it was enough for to sack Lamar Jackson and deflect one of his passes, and for that Dean Lowry wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers 2024 win over the Ravens at Acrisure.

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Steelers Report Card for Loss to the Cowboys Whining about Wine Edition

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Taken from the grade book of a teacher wanting to whine after seeing visitors drinking wine at Acrisure, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for the loss to the Cowboys in Sunday Night Football.

T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Dak Prescott, Steelers vs Cowboys, T.J. Watt 100 sacks

T.J. Watt gets his 100th sack. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Quarterback
Justin Fields passing numbers were solid, completing 15 of 27 for 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran 6 times for 27 sometimes tough yards. Nonetheless, Fields missed makeable throws that could have been difference-makers for a struggling offense. To wit, the Steelers were 3-12 on third downs. Grade: CSteelers, Report Card, grades,

Running Backs
Najee Harris actually led the team in receptions, catching two passes for 35 yards. That’s good, but Najee Harris is a running back. And for the second straight week he did not run well. He may have come out slightly better in the ‘eye test’ but his numbers 42 yards on 14 carries don’t lie. Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward looked good in spot duty but not enough to provide a spark. Grade: F

Tight Ends
The tight ends provided both touchdown catches on the night, with Pat Freiermuth catching 3 balls for 22 yards and Connor Heyward catching 2 for 23. Darnell Washington also had 1 catch for 5 yards. Grade: B

Wide Receivers
The good news? Van Jefferson shed his invisibility cloak for this game. The bad news? His 3 catches for 26 yards look more like mop up numbers that WR No 2 stats. WR No. 1 George Pickens also had 3 catches for 26 yards…. Calvin Austin had 1 catch for 6 yards and Brandon Johnson (who?) had 1 catch for 9 yards.

Stats like these make graying Generation X Steelers fan long for the days of Weegie Thompson and Dwight Stone. Ouch! Grade: F

Offensive Line
Isaac Seumalo returned to the offensive line and added a veteran presence. It may take him time to find his feet, as Justin Fields took 8 hits and suffered 3 sacks, and the Steelers consistently lost on 1st and 2nd down setting up third and longs. All of that might not be on the line, but some of it certainly is. Grade: D

Defensive Line
Look at the box score and you’ll see that the Dallas Cowboys rushing attack probably lacked the “wow” factor. But whatever they lacked there, they made up for consistency. The Cowboys establish the run early on and leaned into it on their final drive. All of this doesn’t fall on the shoulders of the defensive line. But it starts there. Grade: D

Linebackers
T.J. Watt got his 100th sack on a play here he and Nick Herbig brought Dak Prescott down, stripping the ball in the Red Zone. Watt later helped wreck a drive in the 3rd quarter with a sack. Payton Wilson had nine tackles and was around the ball. Patrick Queen led the unit in tackles with 9 while Elandon Roberts forced a fumble that should have been a game changer. Those are all positives, but the linebackers failed to bring pressure on Prescott when it counted and they too deserve their share of the blame for Dallas’ success on the ground. Grade: C-

Secondary
Joey Porter Jr. hauled what should have been a game-shifting interception, and Donte Jackson had a pick in the end zone that took at least 3 points off the board. Minkah Fitzpatrick made several key stops. But Dallas converted 9 of 15 third down attempts and made it look all too easy in the process. DeShon Elliott manned up after the game – but he was hardly the only one at fault. Grade: D

Special Teams
Chris Boswell kicked a 41 yarder. Corliss Waitman’s punting was solid and, unfortunately, could probably gain a few votes for offensive MVP. Dallas forced the Steelers to return kicks and Aaron Shampklin did a respectable job. Isaiahh Loudermilk blocked a field goal. Grade: B+

Coaching
Where to start?

Arthur Smith’s offense doesn’t come with a lot of frills. His philosophy is focused establishing the run by dominating at the line of scrimmage, setting up play action passing to create chunk plays.

This formula worked slowly, but reasonably well through the first three weeks of the season. But things have gone downhill fast. For the second straight week the Steelers have failed to establish the run, and effectively asked Justin Fields to win the game for them, when he clearly lacks the receivers to do that.

Smith likes to line his quarterbacks up under center, but Justin Fields worked extensively in the shotgun on both touchdown drives. While those touchdowns were nice, over reliance on the shotgun could complicate things.

Shotgun or no, Dallas came to Pittsburgh with a terrible rushing defense and missing its best two defenders, yet they clearly got the better of the Steelers rushing attack.

  • Teryl Austin has a different problem.

He’s got a defense that is capable of making splash plays that should be game-changing. Yet they keep getting beaten on bread-and-butter downs. As the Elandon Roberts play proved, forcing a fumble at the one doesn’t mean a whole lot if you can’t stop a four yard pass on 4th and 4.

To be fair to Austin, by the end of the game, the Steelers had lost Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal, making 5th string outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon the next man up. Any defense in the NFL is going to struggle a bit in those circumstances.

But that neither explains nor confuses the lackluster play on the defensive line or the miscommunications and/or ineffectiveness of the inside linebackers.

Cameron Heyward, Rico Dowdle, Steelers vs Cowboys

Cam Heyward was one of the few rights spots for the Steelers. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review

Mike Tomlin has said that an NFL team definition its identity during the first six weeks of the season. During weeks 1-3 the Steeler that definition looked pretty sharp. Focus slipped a little in week four but still looked good.

But in week 5 the Pittsburgh stuck “smashing grapes.” And it wasn’t pretty. Grade: F

Unsung Hero Award
Five weeks ago he was being mocked as a player getting a “scholarship year.” Since then he’s been the best player in his unit, by far, and against the Cowboys he was the only defensive lineman to turn in a truly good performance. And for that Cam Heyward wins the Unsung Hero Award for the Steelers 2024 loss to the Cowboys at Acrisure.

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