For the first time since 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter an NFL Draft without Mike Tomlin at the helm. As the Mike McCarthy era prepares to begin with the 2026 draft, it’s a natural moment to reflect on the Tomlin era—a period defined by consistent competitiveness but also some notable draft misfires. While the hope is that GM Omar Khan’s momentum continues, today we’re looking back at the five most disappointing selections from the Tomlin/Colbert years.
Starting our list is linebacker Devin Bush. While his rookie season showed promise, his career trajectory plummeted after a significant injury, and he never regained that early form. What elevates this pick to "worst" status is the costly trade-up the Steelers executed to secure him, a move that ultimately yielded diminishing returns for the franchise.
Next up is wide receiver Limas Sweed, a classic case of college stardom failing to translate to the professional game. After a spectacular career at Texas, Sweed’s NFL tenure was marred by crucial drops and an inability to secure a consistent role, making his second-round selection a painful miss for the Steelers' offense.
The selection of quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round was met with polarized reactions from the fanbase. While some held out hope, the concerns about his ceiling proved valid. His game never developed as needed in Pittsburgh, leading to a trade after just two seasons and a subsequent journey across multiple rosters, cementing his place as a costly reach.
Perhaps the most frustrating "what-if" on this list is wide receiver Chase Claypool. His on-field inconsistencies and off-field distractions were problematic, but the true sting of this pick is the player they passed on: quarterback Jalen Hurts. With Ben Roethlisberger coming off a major injury, the opportunity to draft his heir apparent was missed, a decision that altered the team's trajectory for years.
Topping our ranking is outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. From the moment he was drafted, questions about his athleticism and fit for the modern NFL were glaring. Over four seasons, he managed only six sacks, providing almost no return on the Steelers' first-round investment. It stands as the definitive draft misstep of the era, a pick where the evaluation simply missed the mark entirely.