2014 NFL Draft: Grading each and every Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Ryan Shazier (Ohio State) holds up his jersey after being selected as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the dust has settled and we have had a day to digest what the Pittsburgh Steelers accomplished throughout the 2014 NFL Draft, it is time to take a look back and evaluate the performance of Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert and his staff.

The Steelers had nine selections in the draft and made them all, not making a trade throughout the draft.

How did the Steelers grade out?

Many experts liked their draft and many did not, as you will find out, I’m a little more critical than most.

With that being said, here’s a look at the draft grades on each and every Steelers 2014 draft pick.

Round 1, Pick 15: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Colbert threw a curveball right off the bat by selecting Ohio State’s Shazier.

There are various opinions of the pick and I for one do not like it.

I like Shazier and love his speed, but I don’t like the value at No.15. Long-term I like the pick as eventually I see Shazier playing outside as the Steelers have yet to commit to Jason Worilds long term and doubtfully will.

His best asset is his speed coming off the edge and he has a ton of it.

But the plan is to play Shazier inside this year and while I understand the need, I have my doubts, especially with a guy like Alabama’s C.J. Mosley still on the board.

He is a playmaker but also a guy who has trouble in space and isn’t the best tackler in the draft. He is a pass rusher and should be a good one but I have doubts about his ability to excel playing the run, especially given the case that the Steelers’ front three isn’t very good.

Shazier’s size shows up as a negative when he gets blocked out pretty consistently in power situations, especially when offensive linemen are plastering him inside or outside on run plays.

I don’t know what the thought was here, especially as I mentioned before that the Steelers front three isn’t very good. I doubt Shazier makes a huge impact right away, though he will be given the opportunity.

This pick may work out nicely long term, but in the short term for a team coming off back-to-back 8-8 seasons, I don’t like it.

Regardless of the position, the Steelers needed a guy to make an impact right off the bat and I doubt Shazier is that guy.

Grade: C