The 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. The last few offseasons at our previous home, I dove into a Steelers NFL draft class starting with the longest-tenured draft pick and outlined each successive draft. In doing so, each player selected by the Steelers was highlighted as to how their NFL career, or lack thereof, took shape. Each year was outlined with the last three draft classes all combined into one since a large number of the players were still with the team.

Since it worked before, and since a lot of the research has already been done, let’s look back at the players from these drafts yet again each weekday leading up to the opening day of the 2024 draft. We’ll start with the 2011 draft since Cam Heyward is the oldest drafted player on the Steelers for 2024. For players no longer in the league, a lot of the information will be the same while others will be updated where needed.

Part 11 of 11 will highlight the Steelers 2021 to 2022 NFL draft, talking about each class as a whole and discussing the players no longer with the organization individually.

So let’s take a look at the last three years of players drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers:

2021

Still on the Steelers roster:

Najee Harris, Running back, Alabama, Round 1, Pick 24
Pat Freiermuth, Tight end, Penn St, Round 2, Pick 55
Dan Moore Jr, Offensive tackle, Texas A&M, Round 4, Pick 128
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Defensive tackle, Wisconsin, Round 5, Pick 156

With nine picks made in the 2021 NFL draft, the Steelers had eight players make the roster and appear in games for Pittsburgh their rookie season. With six players starting games for the Steelers their first season, not including punter Pressley Harvin, the 2021 rookie class was utilized more than any other in franchise history. Additionally, running back Najee Harris was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021. Their second season saw another player not make the roster or practice squad in Buddy Johnson, but after the season the Steelers were able to bring back Quincy Roche on a reserve/future contract. Two players from this draft class did not make the 53-man roster or practice squad in 2023 in Roche and Norwood, and Kendrick Green was traded to Houston ahead of the regular season. Following the 2023 season, the Steelers released Pressley Harvin leaving only four players left on the roster heading into 2024. Being the first draft class in the NFL with a 17-game season, Najee Harris now has the Steelers record of the most starts in his first three seasons with 51.

No longer on the Steelers roster:

Kendrick Green, Center, Illinois, Round 3, Pick 87

After being pushed into the starting lineup to start his rookie season, Kendrick Green was the Steelers starting center for the first 15 games of his NFL career. But after sustaining an injury, he missed the last two regular season contests and the Steelers playoff game in 2021. In 2022, Green made the 53-man roster but was a healthy scratch every week. After experimenting as a fullback during training camp, Green was unlikely to make the roster for 2023 so the Steelers traded him to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft. In Houston, Green started three games at guard before he tore his meniscus against the Steelers in Week 4 and was placed on IR.

Buddy Johnson, Linebacker, Texas A&M, Round 4, Pick 128

Often inactive, either as a healthy scratch or due to injury, Buddy Johnson was placed on the reserve/injured list ahead of week 18 of his rookie season. Despite being a fourth-round pick, Johnson did not make the Steelers 53-man roster in his second season, nor was he signed to the practice squad. Ahead of Week 1, Johnson did land on the 49ers practice squad but was released in mid October. Johnson signed with the Houston Texans practice squad in November 2022 but was not given a contract following the season. Johnson signed with the Chicago Bears in July but was waived/injured in the middle of August. Johnson signed with the Dallas Cowboy’s practice squad in October where he spent the rest of the 2023 season and signed a reserve/future contract for 2024.

Quincy Roche, Outside linebacker, Miami, Round 6, Pick 216

After failing to make the 53-man roster his rookie season, the New York Giants claimed Quincy Roche off of waivers before the Steelers could get him to the practice squad. Appearing in 14 games with three starts as a rookie in New York, Roche landed on the Giants practice squad in 2022 but did appear in three games through elevation and a brief signing to the 53-man roster. But instead of returning to New York, Roche signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers in January 2023. Once again Roche did not make the 53-man roster but was not claimed off waivers or signed to a practice squad. In October, Roche was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad where he spent the rest of the season. Roche did not sign a reserve contract with any team and is currently still a free agent.

Tre Norwood, Defensive back, Oklahoma, Round 7, Pick 245

On the field for the first defensive snap of the season, Tre Norwood technically started Week 1 in his NFL debut. Appearing in 17 games with three starts his rookie year and 15 games with three starts in 2022, Norwood did not make the Steelers 53-man roster in 2023. Signed to the 49ers practice squad in late September, Norwood stuck there for a month before being released. Landing in Buffalo in early November, Norwood stayed on their practice squad nearly 2 months before he was released at the end of December and has not been signed to an NFL team since.

Pressley Harvin III, Punter, Georgia Tech, Round 7, Pick 254

After spending three seasons as the Steelers punter from 2001 through 2003, Pressley Harvin was released early in the 2024 offseason as the Steelers made it clear they were looking for improved production at the position. At this time, Harvin has yet to be signed by another team.

2022

Still on the Steelers roster:

George Pickens, Wide receiver, Georgia, Round 2, Pick 52
DeMarvin Leal, Defensive tackle, Texas A&M, Round 3, Pick 84
Calvin Austin III, Wide receiver, Memphis, Round 4, Pick 138
Connor Heyward, Tight end, Michigan St, Round 6, Pick 208
Mark Robinson, Linebacker, Mississippi, Round 7, Pick 225

The Steelers called on their 2022 rookie class often, but not necessarily early. In the first game of the season, only three players saw the field with George Pickens leading the way with 45 offensive snaps followed by DeMarvin Leal with 17 defensive snaps along with two snaps on special teams. Connor Heyward was the only other member of the 2022 rookie class to see the field to start the season and that was on 22 special team snaps and one on offense. But by the end of the season, all of the rookie class were contributing significantly with the exception of Calvin Austin who spent the entire season on the Reserve/Injured List and Chris Oladokun, who was released before the Steelers final preseason game. The remaining draft class all made the 53-man roster for 2023, but first round pick Kenny Pickett was traded during the 2024 offseason.

No longer on the Steelers roster:

Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh, Round 1, Pick 20

After taking over the reins four games into his rookie season, Kenny Pickett appeared to be the entrenched starter for the Steelers at quarterback despite subpar numbers. In each of us two years in Pittsburgh, Pickett was 7–5 in games he started. But only throwing six touchdowns in 2023 gave the Steelers a reason to grasp an opportunity to bring in Russell Wilson in a once-in-a-lifetime contract situation for the league minimum. Not liking how things were playing out at the position, Pickett asked to be traded and was dealt to Philadelphia within the week.

Chris Oladokun, Quarterback, South Dakota St, Round 7, Pick 241

With the Steelers having one quarterback left from the 2021 season, signing one of the bigger names in free agency in Mitch Trubisky, and being the only team to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 draft in Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh was not an attractive landing spot for undrafted rookie free agent quarterbacks. With this in mind, the Steelers drafted Chris Oladokun with their final selection. Used mainly as an insurance policy in case they were dealing with injury in training camp, every quarterback was available for the Steelers throughout the preseason and Oladokun did not see the field in a game and barely in practice. Released, ahead of the Steelers third preseason game, Oladokun signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad for the season. After the Chiefs were victorious in Super Bowl LVII, Oladokun signed on again, landed on the practice squad, and won another Super Bowl. Attempting a three-peat, Oladokun once again signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs for 2024.

2023

Still on the Steelers roster:

Broderick Jones, Offensive Tackle, Georgia, Round 1, Pick 17
Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State, Round 2, Pick 32
Keeanu Benton, Defensive Lineman, Wisconsin, Round 2, Pick 49
Darnell Washington, Tight End, Georgia, Round 3, Pick 93
Nick Herbig, Linebacker, Wisconsin, Round 4 Pick 132
Cory Trice Jr., Defensive Back, Purdue, Round 7, Pick 241
Spencer Anderson, Offensive Lineman, Maryland, Round 7, Pick 251

The Steelers entire 2023 draft class, the first under general manager Omar Khan, made the Steelers 53-man roster with the exception of cornerback Cory Trice who landed on the Reserve/Injured List early and training camp. The Steelers first three draft picks all eventually became starters throughout their rookie season and are projected to be starters to begin the 2024 campaign. The next two draft picks in Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig are expected to be key contributors on their side of the ball this coming season, much like they were in their rookie year. The last two draft picks in Cory Trice and Spencer Anderson are not guarantees to make the roster in 2024 but both have an inside track to do so during training camp.

What happened to the Steelers 2011 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2012 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2013 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2014 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2015 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2016 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2017 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2018 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2019 draft class?
What happened to the Steelers 2020 draft class?