Playing catch-up
Class of 2020 facing obstacles similar to rookies in lockout nine years ago
The 2011 NFL draft class is considered one of the best of this century, featuring several sure-fire Hall of Famers and many others who have multiple Pro Bowl selections.
J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones and A.J. Green are just some of the stars taken in 2011, all of them among the top 11 picks in the draft. Twenty-two of the 32 picks from the first round remain active, an incredible percentage a decade later.
Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward was the 31st pick in the first round. He has made All-Pro twice in the past three years, but like many others from that famed class, he had a hard time acclimating as a rookie due to the lockout that wiped out the offseason.
Much like this year, when there are no organized team activities (OTAs) or minicamp due to COVID-19, the 2011 rookie class had many obstacles to overcome as it entered the league.
“I felt like I was running with my head cut off,” Heyward said. “I couldn’t get information from my strength coach. I couldn’t pick the brain of my defensive line coach. Little things like that, I didn’t know how to work out and what to expect. But those are things that will go along with this class.
“The only way players are interacting are through these Zoom meetings. Zoom meetings can only do so much. You’re not going to get those physical reps. I didn’t get those physical reps. I didn’t get time with my coaches.”
Many Steelers rookies still haven’t set foot in Pittsburgh. They took part in the virtual offseason with the rest of the Steelers from their home bases, but many of them haven’t met coaches in person yet. It’s such a disadvantage that coach Mike Tomlin is bracing for a season with little help from his rookies.
In previous years, the Steelers have counted on rookies to be contributors. At least one Steelers draft pick since 2016 has developed into a full-time starter as a rookie. A year ago it was linebacker Devin Bush, who started 15 of 16 games. Third-round pick Diontae Johnson also became a key offensive contributor, starting 12 games as a wide receiver. Safety Terrell Edmunds, the firstround pick in 2018, started 15 games. The 2017 class produced linebacker T.J. Watt and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, both of whom had significant contributions on a team that was 13-3 and won the AFC North Division. In 2016, the Steelers had three rookies with nine or more starts, led by nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who started 13 times.
“The physical reps are a teaching tool, and it levels the playing field once we get in training camp for new guys or young guys,” Tomlin said. “Learning is going to be a significant element of this process. Those who are slow learners, who lack the normal repetitions that you get in the spring, are going to be working at a disadvantage.”
Chase Claypool, Alex Highsmith and the other members of the 2020 rookie class are going to have to work extra hard during training camp to make an impression on coaches. And even then, it might not be enough to earn playing time.
Heyward, for all of his talents, played just 247 snaps as a rookie. Some of that had to do with the fact that established veterans were ahead of him on the depth chart, but he admittedly had a hard time learning the nuances of the Steelers defense. A normal offseason would have helped. The Steelers rookie to play the most snaps in 2011 was second-round pick Marcus Gilbert, an offensive tackle who started 13 games, but his introduction to the NFL was rough.
“I came in and, first off, we didn’t have [OTAs] and minicamp, and it was disadvantage for rookies,” Gilbert told the Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac in August 2011. “And, secondly, I didn’t come in well-prepared and in shape. I didn’t come in in the best of shape and I had an injury [hamstring], and it was kind of tough.”
The Steelers didn’t get much from other 2011 rookies. Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen, Chris Carter and Baron Batch made the 53-man roster, but their contributions as rookies were not significant.
Injuries are a huge concern for teams as training camp approaches. In 2011, there were significantly more injuries due to the lockout. Add in the fact that rookies always lag in conditioning, and it’s easy to see why Tomlin i uncomfortable.
Steelers rookies weren’t the only ones to struggle in 2011. J.J. Watt, who is a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, managed only 5½ sacks in 16 starts. He rocketed up to 20½ sacks in his second season. Quarterback Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall pick, threw 17 interceptions in 16 starts. The 17 picks remain a career high as he enters his 10th season.
The one thing this rookie class has going for it are the virtual meetings. It might not be much, but it’s more than the 2011 rookies had.
“I think the rookie class will have a leg up on the 2011 class,” Heyward said. “We were playing so much catchup. The 2011 season was a whirlwind. But they’re definitely up against it right now.”