Defensive end Nick Williams is on the roster bubble if Mike Tomlin’s draft classes are any indication (Photo Credit: behindthesteelcurtain.com)
It comes to no surprise that with a finite number of roster spots, just 53, difficult decisions get made on cut days. Sure, the vast majority of UDFAs will be handing in their playbooks and occasionally, teams will move on from a veteran. The draft class are good bets to make it but there are no guarantees.
A study from the Mike Tomlin era of what draft picks failed to make the team. For the study, players that were placed on IR were not counted as failing to make it. Some of the following players did end up on the practice squad but for the purposes of piecing together a roster, are listed. The list with a few notes to follow.
2012 (2/9)
7th rounder: Toney Clemons
7th rounder: Terrance Frederick
2011 (1/7)
6th rounder: Keith Williams
2010 (1/10)
7th rounder: Doug Worthington
2009 (2/9)
6th rounder: Sunny Harris
7th rounder: AQ Shipley
2008 (0/7)
None
2007 (2/8)
5th rounder: Cameron Stephenson
7th rounder: Dallas Baker
The total? Eight in five seasons. Predictably, half were seventh rounders. Only once in the Tomlin era did no draft pick get cut. Ironically enough, in arguably the least productive class. 2008. All picks made the team with the exception of 6th rounder Mike Humpal, who served his rookie year on injured reserve and ultimately never played a snap for the team.
The highest pick not to make it out of camp was in Tomlin’s first year, when 5th round guard Cameron Stephenson was cut. In three seasons, two draft picks failed to make the squad.
It’s reasonable to expect two players not to make it. Sans 2010, when the Steelers have eight or more selections (nine in 2013) two players got the ax. Looking at you, Justin Brown and Nick Williams.
