Kaleb Johnson and Broderick Jones trades show how costly Steelers' draft misses have become

Key Points:

• The Steelers' draft performance from 2018 to 2022 ranks slightly below average compared to other NFL teams, with fewer high-end, long-term players emerging from their first three rounds despite some notable hits like Alex Highsmith and Diontae Johnson.
• Pittsburgh's first-round picks generally align with expectations based on draft position, except for Kenny Pickett, who significantly underperformed relative to other players selected in similar slots.
• The team has frequently passed on better-performing players available shortly after their picks, with 86.7% of their premium selections having at least one materially better player chosen within the next 10 picks, a higher rate than the league average.
• Recent draft classes show mixed results, with some promising young players but also unresolved questions, highlighted by the quick trade of Kaleb Johnson just one year after being selected.
• The impact of draft misses has grown since the departure of franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as Pittsburgh can no longer rely on a settled QB position to offset personnel shortcomings, making efficient draft capital use more critical.