By Playbook staff

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Round 2 (49): WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Round 3 (102): EDGE Alex Highsmith, Charlotte
Round 4 (124): RB Anthony McFarland Jr., Maryland
Round 4 (135): IOL Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
Round 6 (198): S Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland
Round 7 (232): DI Carlos Davis, Nebraska

1st Round: The Steelers were without a first-round pick in this year s draft after trading what became the 18th overall pick in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick. It s hard to think that they re regretting that decision too much at this point. Fitzpatrick is still just 23, and he brought a much-needed dose of playmaking to the back end of Pittsburgh s secondary. Over the first two weeks of the season, the Steelers ranked 27th in team coverage grade, but they improved to second from Weeks 3 to 17 after trading for Fitzpatrick.

Balance Of The Draft: There was a lot of discussion of the Steelers going running back with their Round 2 selection, but they made the right call here by going with a player who can win downfield instead. Claypool has a freakish physical profile at 6-foot-4 and nearly 240 pounds with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and a vertical jump over 40 inches. He also made plenty of plays down the football field at Notre Dame in 2019, pulling in 16 receptions on passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield. There s a lot of potential for him on this Steelers offense as a downfield threat ... Highsmith was listed in the PFF Draft Guide as a sleeper in this edge class, and the back end of Round 3 is about where he was slated to come off the board. His 91.4 pass-rushing grade this past season is excellent, but that has to be taken with a grain of salt given the level of competition he faced at Charlotte... Dotson has the strength to stick at guard in the NFL, but pass protection will be a concern from the jump ... Brooks looked far more comfortable playing in the box in 2018 than he was manning the slot last season. He is yet another player whose best bet is at linebacker in the league ... McFarland has some durability issues but stellar straight-line speed, and he'll fit a need if he can stay on the field.

Steal Of The Draft: None

Draft Grades: Playbook C

ESPN: B-... PFF: B-... SI: C... Composite: C+