Burns is big and athletic but was inconsistent at times last season. The grade gets dinged because I had Burns rated in the 50s. Davis is a good coverage cornerback with enough pop to stick at safety. Still, there were some safeties the Steelers could have had who are better than Davis. The Steelers got a good developmental offensive lineman in Jerald Hawkins in the fourth round. He's a good athlete who the Steelers can bulk up. Sixth-round pick Travis Feeney is a very good athlete for the position and could put in some work on special teams. Seventh-round pick DeMarcus Ayers is intriguing. He is a top returner and has big speed. The knock on him is size.
—Dan Kadar, SB Nation
At 6'0 and 193 pounds, Burns certainly is big enough to be aggressive and physical as he shadows a receiver all over the field. And like Tomlin alluded to, Burns ran track at Miami and excelled, so he certainly has the speed. Also, if his ball-skills are to be believed (six interceptions and five passes defensed in 2015), he clearly possesses attributes not seen with most of Pittsburgh's defensive backs in recent years.
Overall, Davis is a quick athlete that has proven he can play both cornerback and safety at a high level. This pick addresses a major need on the Steelers' defense. While Davis is very athletic and has the build, he is also horribly raw and at times struggles covering receivers that can run good routes. Time will time if the Steelers played their cards right, I am just a big fan of his versatility and overall coverage skills. We will just have to wait and see but I like the newest addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Welcome aboard Sean Davis.
Hargrave didn't play against the best competition at South Carolina State, but his potential is obvious. He will be able to play both nose tackle as well as a down lineman in the Steelers' defensive sub-packages. He is lauded for his first step, his tenacity and ability to stay on the field for all three downs.
Hawkins declared eligible for the NFL Draft a year early, but is a big-bodied player with the capabilities to fill the role Kelvin Beachum held when he was drafted as the team's primary backup, or swing, tackle. Hawkins, who stands at 6-feet 6-inches and weighs 305-pounds, played right tackle in his first two years at LSU, and left tackle in his final season in college.
Feeney's strengths include his ability to use his size and speed to stay with tight ends and wide receivers in coverage; however, he struggles in run support and his frame has suggested many teams to consider moving him to a strong safety position other than ILB.
Ayers, who will be used to return kicks as well as play wide receiver, is smaller than most would like, standing at 5-feet 9-inches and 185-pounds. While at Houston, Ayers relied on quick passes and bubble screens to help spring him for big plays.
Matakevich was projected as a 3-4 round selection from Temple, but slid to the Steelers in the late 7th round. Matakevich is slated to be a core special teams player with a high motor, but to strictly add depth behind Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons at the inside linebacker position.