PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They've had better individual players in a class, but under Mike Tomlin, Steelers have never had a more impactful rookie class than this year. At least through seven games of a season.
A rookie is the Steelers leading rusher and the second leading receiver. Another rookie is fourth in receptions and second in touchdown receptions. A pair of rookies start on the offense line. Their final two picks- one is 8th in solo tackles and another their starting punter and holder. A fifth rounder has a sack.
Here are the numbers for this class through seven games.
2021
-Najee Harris—479 yards rushing, 3 TD//37 receptions for 273 yards, 2 TD
-Pat Freiermuth—22 receptions, 202 yards, 2 TD
-Kendrick Green--started every game at center
-Dan Moore, Jr--started every game at left tackle
-Isaiahh Loudermilk--6g, 4 solo tackles, sack
-Tre Norwood--6g, 1 start, 17 tackles, TFL, PD
-Pressley Harvin--44.8 punting average, 41.2 net, 0 blocks
Here are the stats for other rookies under Mike Tomlin through seven games. Just those who had any kind of impact.
2020
-Chase Claypool 23 rec, 375, 5 TD//6 rush 21 yds, 2 TD
-Alex Highsmith 0 starts, 12 tackles, TFL, INT
-Anthony McFarland 57 yards rush//2 rec 13yds//no touchdowns
-Kevin Dotson 2 starts
2019
-Devin Bush 6 starts, 59 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, 4 FR, TD
-Diontae Johnson 25 rec, 296yds, 3 TD//1 rush 6yds
-Benny Snell 28 carries-118yds//1 rec 14yds//no touchdowns
2018
-Terrell Edmunds 6 starts 26 tackles, QB hit, INT, FR
-James Washington 3 starts 5 rec, 49 yards, TD
2017
-TJ Watt 6 starts 26 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, INT
-JuJu Smith-Schuster 17 rec 231 yds, 3 TD
-James Conner 17 rush 88 yds
2016
-Sean Davis 18 tackles, PD
-Javon Hargrave 5 starts, 10 tackles
2015
-Bud Dupree 15 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
-Sammie Coates 1 rec 11yds
2014
-Ryan Shazier 3g 20 tackles, PD
-Stephon Tuitt 2 tackles
-Martavis Bryant 1 game, 2 rec, 40 yds, TD
2013
-Jarvis Jones 4 starts 20 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits
-LeVeon Bell 4g, 4 starts, 64 carries 208 yards, 3 TD//13 rec 82yds
-Markus Wheaton 3g, 3rec, 26yds
-Vince Williams 27 tackles, 3 TFL
2012
-Sean Spence 4 starts, 23 tackles, FR
2011
-Cam Heyward no starts 5 tackles, TFL, 3 QB hits, sack
-Marcus Gilbert 5 starts
2010
-Maurkice Pouncey 7 starts
-Jason Worilds 5 tackles, sack, TFL
-Emmanuel Sanders 4 rec 76 yards
-Antonio Brown active for 3 games, 1 catch for 6 yards
2009
-Ziggy Hood 1 game 1 tackle
-Kraig Urbik 5g, no starts
-Mike Wallace 21 catches, 323yds, TD, 3 rush 40 yds
2008
-Rashard Mendenhall 1 start, 4g 19 carries, 58 yards, 2 catch 17yds
-Limas Sweed 4 rec 39 yds
2007
-Lawrence Timmons 8 tackles
-LaMarr Woodley 12 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QB hits, FF
-Matt Spaeth 5g, 4 rec 28 yds 3 TD
-Daniel Sepulveda started every game
-William Gay-6th round 14 tackles, TFL, QB hit, FR
Obviously, there is more opportunity for these rookies than those in other years. However, they haven't had a group like this ever under Tomlin.
