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What happened to the Steelers’ 2017 draft class?

Leading up to the 2022 NFL draft in April, let’s look at how some of the Steelers’ drafts played out.

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The 2022 NFL Draft is a mere two weeks away. Last offseason, we dove into a Steelers NFL draft class starting with the 2004 NFL Draft and outlined a successive draft each week. In doing so, each player selected by the Steelers was highlighted as to how their NFL career, or lack thereof, took shape. Each year was outlined with the last three draft classes all combined into one since a large number of the players were still with the team.

Since it worked last season, and since a lot of the research has already been done, let’s look back at they players from these drafts yet again, this time looking at two different years, on separate days, each week leading up to the last week of April. For players no longer in the league, a lot of the information will be the same while others will be updated where needed.

Part 14 of 16 will highlight the Steelers 2017 NFL draft, which only has two members of the class still in Pittsburgh.

So let’s take a look at the eight players drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL draft:


T.J. Watt

Outside Linebacker, Wisconsin

Round 1
Pick 30

Steelers fans should not have to be informed what is going on with Trent Jordan Watt these days. Already a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro, Watt was a finalist for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020 before bringing home the award in 2021. Signing a four-year extension just before the start of the 2021 season, T.J. Watt is under contract with the Steelers through 2025. The extension was worth over $112 million with $80 million in guaranteed money. Even with a high investment, T.J. Watt seems to be well worth his contract as he tied the NFL‘s all-time single-season sack record of 22.5 in 15 games in 2021. The biggest question when it comes to T.J. Watt is how there ended up being 29 other selections until the Steelers got their superstar at pick 30.


JuJu Smith-Schuster

Wide receiver, USC

Round 2
Pick 62

Although many Steelers fans were unhappy with this draft pick with the Steelers dire need at cornerback, JuJu Smith-Schuster stole the hearts of many fans his first couple years in the league. Putting up great numbers and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, Smith-Schuster has not had the same production over the next two seasons. Of course, he played 2019 while battling an injury and without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. As fans assumed they would be bidding farewell to Smith-Schuster at the end of his rookie deal, JuJu reportedly took less money for one additional season in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, that season saw a shoulder injury in Week 5 supposedly end his 2021 season. Instead, Smith-Schuster found his was back onto the field for one last game in the playoffs. Smith-Schuster signed an incentive-laden deal for 2022 with the Kansas City Chiefs.


Cameron Sutton

Cornerback, Tennessee

Round 3
Pick 94

Not becoming a full-time starter for the Steelers until 2021, Sutton is arguably the best cornerback the Steelers have drafted in recent years. Signing a two-year deal last offseason to stay in Pittsburgh through the 2022 season, Sutton will continue to have the opportunity to be a full-time cornerback again in 2022.


James Conner

Running back, Pittsburgh

Round 3
Pick 105

James Conner was selected with the Steelers third-round compensatory draft pick courtesy of the departure of Kelvin Beachum and became an instant fan favorite. Between overcoming cancer and being a hometown kid playing at the University of Pittsburgh, Conner saw limited action as a rookie. But when called upon in 2018 as Le’Veon Bell sat out the season in a contract dispute, Conner was selected to the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, injuries and availability have been the biggest concern with Conner, although it is a common problem among running backs across the entire NFL. With the Steelers looking to revamp their running game for 2021, James Conner was allowed to test free agency and signed a one-year deal for $1.75 million with the Arizona Cardinals. Making his second Pro Bowl while with the Cardinals after scoring 15 rushing touchdowns and three more receiving, Conner signed back with Arizona this offseason for three years at $21 million.


Joshua Dobbs

Quarterback, Tennessee

Round 4
Pick 135

After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in aerospace engineering and a 4.0 GPA, Dobbs was the Steelers third quarterback on the roster in 2017 and did not see any playing time. Earning the back-up role over Landry Jones in 2018, Dobbs threw his first regular-season NFL pass in the fourth quarter of the Steelers 23-16 win over the Ravens in Week 9. With Ben Roethlisberger having a come off the field for one play due to injury, Dobbs converted a 22-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster on a 2nd & 20 from their own 5 yard line. After losing the back-up role to Mason Rudolph in 2019, Dobbs was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to Week 2 of the season. The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft which was subsequently used in the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Used only as a back up and never appearing in a game, Dobbs was released by the Jaguars following training camp in 2020. The Steelers claimed Dobbs off waivers, but he was only active for one game in Week 17. In 2021, Dobbs signed back with the Steelers but spent the year on the Reserve/Injured list with a toe injury. Just recently, Dobbs signed with the Cleveland Browns for 2022.


Brian Allen

Defensive back, Utah

Round 5
Pick 173

Making the 53-man roster in 2017, Allen appeared in 10 games his rookie year but only saw snaps on special teams. In his second season, Allen was initially released by the Steelers and signed to the practice squad. Activated in early October, Allen played in six games in 2018, once again only seeing snaps on special teams. To start the 2019 season, Allen was placed on injured reserve at the end of August and was waved several days later with an injury settlement. Signing with the Seahawks on their practice squad, Allen spent the remainder of 2019 in Seattle and signed a futures contract for 2020 only to be waived in early August. Allen and then joined the Buffalo Bills late in training camp but did not ultimately make the team. Allen was later signed to the 49ers practice squad and was elevated for one game where he played his only defensive snaps of his NFL career to date. On 24 snaps, Allen was targeted six times with five completions for 124 yards and a touchdown surrendered. Released in late October, Allen joined the Bengals practice squad in early November and signed to the Cleveland Browns active roster ahead of their playoff matchup with the Steelers. Allen re-signed with the Browns for the 2021 season, appeared in three games, and spent some time on the practice squad. Allen is now set to make his USFL debut for the Birmingham Stallions.


Colin Holba

Long snapper, Louisville

Round 6
Pick 213

To say Steelers fans were scratching their heads when they selected a long snapper in the sixth round would be an understatement. What was even worse is Holba did not win the starting job after the retirement of Greg Warren and instead Steelers went with Kameron Canaday. Holba has since bounced around the NFL and has appeared in 19 games between the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants. Holba signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 offseason but was waived in May. Landing on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad the final three weeks of the regular season before being released, Holba announced his retirement from the NFL in February. But one thing no one will ever be able to take away from Holba is his home run derby championship during the Steelers 2017 training camp.


Keion Adams

Outside linebacker, Western Michigan

Round 7
Pick 248

Missing his entire rookie season after landing on the Reserve/Injured List with a shoulder injury, Adams did not make the Steelers roster in his second season but was signed to the practice squad for the entire year. After signing a Reserve/Future contract in the offseason, Adams was released following the 2019 NFL draft. Catching on with the New York Giants, Adams landed on injured reserve again before the start of the season and was waived in October. Currently, Adams has been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League since the 2021 season.