2014 NFL Draft: Grading each and every Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks
By Matt Shetler
Round 7, Pick 230: Rob Blanchflower, TE, UMass
November 23, 2012; Boston, MA USA; Massachusetts Minutemen tight end Rob Blanchflower (87) catches a punt during warmups prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been Colbert’s mantra of late to target tight end depth in the seventh round, so I really expected this pick.
Blanchflower has good size at 6’4”, 256 and is a pretty solid run blocker and a functional pass blocker.
He is tough and can make tough catches in small windows. Blanchflower leaves Massachusetts as their all-time leader in receptions from a tight end. He has the chance to be a solid special team’s contributor.
The Steelers have had some success with seventh round tight ends such as David Johnson and David Paulson sticking around, so I would expect Blanchflower to continue that trend.
On a team with depth issues at tight end as well, Blanchflower could stick around as a third option.
Blanchflower doesn’t have great speed and isn’t a great athlete but he is tough and the type of player you don’t mind taking a chance on in the seventh round.
Grade: B-
Overall
The Steelers came away with some nice players, but on paper I don’t see much impact at all, especially not right away.
Coming off back-to-back 8-8 campaigns, they didn’t do much over the course of the three days to give you confidence that will change anytime soon.
Average out all the individual grades and you get a final team grade that is not great.
Overall Grade: C+