Jesse James to the Steelers: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

No one should be surprised that the Pittsburgh Steelers spent a draft pick on a tight end. And people should be less shocked to discover the tight end they drafted is a former Penn State player who is not terribly athletic. Jesse James slipped to the fifth round due to some glaring deficiencies in his overall game, but he still brings enough to the party that his future looks promising.

As you can see from the graphic above, the Steelers have done a nice job of mixing players who fill specific needs with those who are just highly rated prospects overall. James falls firmly in the category of the former.

What does he bring to the table to warrant a pick? Primarily, it is his size (6’7”, 261 lbs) and how he is able to use that massive frame to create separation and shield off defenders. Not to mention, if the Steelers really wanted to, they could probably beef James up to around 275 pounds without much loss in the way of athleticism.

Part of the reason for that is also a big downside to his game. No one is going to mistake James for an elite athlete, and he wins far more matchups simply by his physical advantage. This would preclude a lot of teams from considering him, but the Steelers like having big, strong guys who can block and do just enough in the passing game. That’s James in a nutshell.

But is it really his fault he wasn’t more productive at Penn State? The Steelers don’t seem to think so. 

"

Steelers are thrilled to get Jesse James. Didn't think Penn State used him correctly, especially with his skill set.

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) May 2, 2015"

If this is true and there is more untapped potential inside that massive frame, the Steelers might have found a real steal. Film on James is up-and-down. He had stretches where he was impossible to defend and just seemed to reel in catch after catch with soft hands and that incredible catch radius. 

At other times he looked lazy, rounding off routes, not looking back for the football and giving up early in the run game. These are the habits his Pittsburgh coaches and teammates, especially Heath Miller, need to help him get past. Consistent effort by the tight ends is a must in this offense. Whether it is hauling in a seam route on third down knowing you are going to take a hit or pulling on that counter run and sealing the edge for the running back, James has to show he’s willing to give 100 percent on every snap.

"

We feel like he is a young man who can come in and add something to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season - James Daniel on TE Jesse James

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 2, 2015"

James is going to have his work cut out for him to make the final roster. Miller is entrenched as the starter, and veteran Matt Spaeth is dependable as his backup. So the competition will fall between James and second-year player Rob Blanchflower.

Blanchflower spent 2014 on the practice squad, and James could end up there this year. 

The truth is, there wasn’t a spot for a tight end any earlier in this draft, because no tight end was going to come in and start. That’s why there was no point in spending a higher pick on one. Miller and Spaeth are going to get the bulk of the snaps, so anything from another tight end is a bonus.

"

Round 5 is better 4 a TE who's gonna compete w/ Blanchflower for No. 3 job in '15, because that's what Maxx Williams was gonna do, too

— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) May 2, 2015"

My prediction is James spends this season on the practice squad and moves up in place of Spaeth in 2016. He might haul in the amazing catch every now and then, but he is going to have to give much more consistent effort in all phases to make the final roster.