The Pittsburgh Steelers rookies weren’t playing much earlier in the season, which led to criticism of coach Mike Tomlin in some circles.
However, the criticism has started faded as the snap counts have started to grow for the Steelers’ top three picks in this year’s NFL Draft.
Broderick Jones, the first-round pick, has been the starter at offensive right tackle in each of the last two games. He played every offensive snap in both games after seeing action on more than 7% of the snaps twice in the first seven games of the season.
Jones has not graded well in either one of those past two games, both Steelers’ wins, in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. He got a 58.8 against the Tennessee Titans and a 55.3 last Sunday versus the Green Bay Packers.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been in the starting lineup each of the last three games, playing at least 83% of the defensive snaps in each and being on the field for every one of them last week.
Taken with the first pick of the second round, Porter has one interception and one tackle for loss. He has also recorded 21 tackles (six solos) and defensed four passes.
Nose tackle Keeanu Benton, the Steelers’ second selection of the second round, started in place of Montravius Adams last week and played a season-best 66% of the defensive snaps. It marked the second time Benton has been a starter.
Benton has a sack, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss while being credited with six quarterback hits. He has 10 solo tackles and 12 assists.
Tomlin said his plan all along was to bring the rookies along slowly as they adapted to the NFL.
“I think they’re just beginning to write their story,” Tomlin said Tuesday during his weekly new conference. “We’ve really been intentional about integrating them into play. Oftentimes, this journey that is an NFL season is a long haul for a rookie. You think the preseason games are not significant, but for rookies every time they step into a preseason stadium, it’s the biggest game of their life. And, so, they play really three tough, significant games before the season even starts.
“And, so, we understand that, and we want them to be guys on the rise in the significant moments at the end of the season. We want them to be arrow-pointed-up-type people. And, so, we’ve been thoughtful and intentional about their growth and development.”
The Steelers (6-3) will try to win their third straight game and for the fourth time in five games when they travel to face the turnpike rival Cleveland Browns (6-3) on Sunday. The Steelers and Browns both trail the first-place Ravens (8-3) by one game in the AFC Central after Baltimore beat the division rival Cincinnati Bengals 34-20 on Thursday night.
The Steelers defeated the Browns 26-22 on Sept. 18 in Pittsburgh.
However, Cleveland will be playing without quarterback Deshaun Watson in the rematch after he fractured his right shoulder last Sunday when the Browns rallied past the Ravens 33-31 in Baltimore. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will make his second career start in Watson’s place.