The Steelers had 3 picks in the second night of the NFL Draft with one pick in the second round and two in the third. In the second round, the Steelers took USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster in a pick that surprised many. After that, the Steelers made bank with their two third round selections in Tennessee CB Cameron Sutton and Pitt RB James Conner. The Steelers have now addressed most of their primary needs heading into the draft and can look into development players on the third day of the draft. All four of their picks so far (including first rounder TJ Watt) should be able to make an immediate impact. The Steelers do have enough quality at the top of the roster that none of these guys will be asked to take over a starting role right away, but they are all in good situations to get quality playing time this season and potentially be future starters.
Round 2 (#62 Overall)
JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR – Southern California
Analysis
Much to the surprise of pretty much everyone, the Steelers used their second round pick on Southern Cal WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. He is a quality player but had very minimal connections to the Steelers throughout the draft process with the only reported meeting being at the NFL Combine. That said, Schuster plays with an attitude and is an above-average athlete. He has great hands and can snatch the ball away from his body. He aggressively attacks the ball in the air and has no fear of going across the middle. Basically, just watch this highlight of him calling out a DB then tossing him aside like a rag doll.
The #Steelers get a tough receiver and solid #RAS player in JuJu Smith-Schuster. Around average numbers all around. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Sh4ZKGV1q5
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2017
Scouting Reports
Videos
Twitter Reaction
WHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYY
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) April 29, 2017
JuJu Smith ???? W T actual F #Steelers #NFLDraft
— Simon Chester (@PFF_Simon) April 29, 2017
Steelers have infinite WRs
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 29, 2017
Shoulda been Godwin
— ⱼₐₛ (@j_a155) April 29, 2017
I am struggling here folks. #Steelers
— Steel Dad (@SteelDad) April 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/858131574570844160
Look at it this way, Steelers' Nation. This sure beats taking Davis Webb.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) April 29, 2017
JuJu said he only spoke to Steelers at combine. Didn't hear from them again until just before he was selected.
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) April 29, 2017
JuJu on Steelers: "The combine meeting is like speed dating, you get 15 minutes, and since then I haven't even spoken to them until today."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) April 29, 2017
PITTSBURGH WHAT'S UPPPPPPP!!!!!!!! So proud to be a Steeler!!!!!
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) April 29, 2017
One of the most SoCal ways to celebrate being drafted to NFL. pic.twitter.com/biRzqpbjwk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 29, 2017
Round 3 (#96 Overall)
Cam Sutton
CB – Tennessee
Analysis
Sutton was a 4-year starter at Tennessee who was considered by many a first round prospect heading into his senior season. Injuries derailed his senior campaign and dropped him down the draft board. He is not the biggest corner, but he was one of the smartest players in college football. He routinely was able to point out route tendencies and get the other players on the defense lined up to defend the play. Sutton also returned punts on occasion for the Vols. The Steelers brought him in for a pre-draft visit and despite Sutton playing as a Free Safety at the Senior Bowl, the Steelers see him as purely a corner. Sutton has the ability to play both inside in the slot and outside on the boundary. He will likely have the opportunity to play immediately in the slot and excels in man-to-man coverage in short areas.
https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/858155252050276353
Scouting Reports
Videos
Twitter Reaction
Steelers take Tenn CB/S Cameron Sutton with first of two picks in 3rd rd. Good man-cover corner. Small tho (5-11, 188)
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) April 29, 2017
Love this pick. Steelers get a versatile DB – can play outside & nickel https://t.co/a3rrHuL1iv
— Eric Herm (@EricHermPGH) April 29, 2017
Sutton played man and zone for Vols. Projects as slot CB.
— Chris Bradford (@PghBradford) April 29, 2017
Welcome to Pittsburgh Cam Sutton. You could totally suck dog turds but you're a corner so Steelers fans on Twitter are excited
— Shoes (@IsItTheShoes926) April 29, 2017
Needless to say I am beyond thrilled that Cam Sutton is coming to Pittsburgh. Tremendous player with tons of upside. Injury dropped stock.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) April 29, 2017
Steelers quietly having a great draft.
— 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒕 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒌 🐦⬛🏈🇬🇪🇺🇦🇱🇻 (@CarasikS) April 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/status/858155684961148929
Lake said he sees Sutton as a "true corner," or nickelback, adds safety "would be a stretch."
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) April 29, 2017
Carnell Lake said they're drawn towards DBs that are a big part of the communication on defense in college.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) April 29, 2017
Round 3 (#105 Overall)
James Conner
RB – Pitt
Analysis
Oh. Hell. Yes. Everyone in Pittsburgh knows Conner’s story. He starred at Erie McDowell High School (which was part of the WPIAL through his junior season) then came to Pitt and transitioned from DE to RB. Conner is a big physical back that is the perfect complement to Le’Veon Bell. He was dominant at Pitt then beat Hogkin’s Lymphoma and came back to football last season. Conner is a great story, but he is also a stand-up person and a great addition to the Steelers backfield. They now have a physical bruising back to complement Le’Veon Bell’s shifty style. There is a lot to be excited about here.
Scouting Reports
Videos
Twitter Reaction
If the #Steelers take James Conner here, Pittsburgh might explode. I know the media room will
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) April 29, 2017
James Conner to Steelers
— Eric Hagman (@esh714) April 29, 2017
It is.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) April 29, 2017
Just adds to his great story that James Conner will play for the Steelers. Congrats @JamesConner_!!!
— Tom Reisenweber (@ETNreisenweber) April 29, 2017
James Conner: 2014 ACC Player of the Year. Cancer Survivor. Pittsburgh Steeler. That's a pretty epic run.
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) April 29, 2017
Let’s be clear, James Connor is NOT a sentimental pick. He was the RB they wanted at this spot. #Steelers
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) April 29, 2017
Conner to the #Steelers is too perfect
— Del Reid 🦬 (@DelReid) April 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/Steel_Curtain4/status/858162524423938048
— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) April 29, 2017
James Conner is a Pittsburgh Steeler
— Pat (@The_Incline) April 29, 2017
For the first time in 17 years — or since before the South Side facility that the 2 teams share opened — the Steelers draft a Pitt player
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) April 29, 2017
Heck yea! I think I found my day one! Welcome, come across to the other side! @JamesConner_ pic.twitter.com/BBNefKpQNx
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 29, 2017
Was just saying this is the spot I wanted to Steelers to draft James Conner. Chills
— Chris G. (@ChrisG_PIT) April 29, 2017
James Conner stays in Pittsburgh, lands with the #Steelers in the 3rd round. Awesome, awesome landing spot, for so many reasons.
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 29, 2017
Steeler RB coach James Saxon:"What (Mike Tomlin) looks for is a guy with the character to come in and be a Steeler.(James Conner) fits that"
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) April 29, 2017
Steelers getting a lot of high character guys. Watt, Sutton, and Conner all have makeup of future team captains.
— Chris Garman (@Steel_By_Design) April 29, 2017
A lot of dreams came true today, but this one is our favorite.
With the 105th pick, the Steelers draft Pitt RB James Conner. pic.twitter.com/0umbdbpGby
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) April 29, 2017
TFW you're James Conner and you just got drafted by the Steelers pic.twitter.com/t6uP1fdfWr
— Beau Berman (@BeauReports) April 29, 2017
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