During the first six years of Mike Tomlin’s tenure as Steelers head coach rookie defenders had no chance of starting. No matter what round they were selected or what position the played, they had no chance to crack the starting lineup.
All 22 defensive draft picks from 2007-12 did not start any games as rookies. That list includes first-round picks Lawrence Timmons, Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward, second-round selections LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds and many others who went on to be starters in ensuing years.
But the days of Steelers rookies waiting their turn disappeared in recent years.