Steelers rookie report cards are in

Good article by Ray Fittipaldo at Pitts Post Gazette. I just copied the individual write ups/grades on each of the rookies but not the entire article.

Quote :

Here are this year’s rookies and their report cards for the 2019 season:

ILB Devin Bush (first round): The Steelers traded up 10 picks in the first round to draft Bush, and he has not disappointed. He enters the regular-season finale against the Ravens second on the team in tackles with 97, only one off the team lead. He also has two interceptions, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He’s struggled a bit in pass coverage. The coaching staff has alleviated some of those issues by substituting veteran Mark Barron into the game in certain situations down the stretch. In time, Bush is expected to flourish in all areas of the game. But even with a more limited role in the second half of the season, Bush has played 82% of the defensive snaps. He’ll be filling up the stat sheet even more once he masters all facets of the game.
Grade: B+

WR Diontae Johnson (third round): When the Steelers traded Antonio Brown to the Raiders in the spring they received a third-round pick in return. The Steelers used that pick to select Johnson. Brown never played a down with the Raiders while Johnson is among the rookie leaders at his position. Not a bad trade for GM Kevin Colbert. Johnson is second among rookies in receptions with 55, sixth in yards with 626 and tied for seventh in touchdowns with five. And he’s developed into a dangerous punt returner late in the season. He’s had some mental errors and lapses in his play, but that’s expected for rookies. He said last week he’s trying to fight through the the very real rookie wall. His performance against the Cardinals earlier this month – when he returned a punt for a touchdown and had some highlight reel plays as a receiver – suggest he has star potential. When Ben Roethlisberger returns next season, look out. Johnson could break out as one of the top receivers in the entire league.
Grade: B+

CB Justin Layne (third round): Layne hasn’t taken one defensive snap this season, but he has played in nine games as a contributor on special teams. In fact, late in the season he supplanted Burns, who hasn’t been active for the past several weeks. The Steelers knew when they drafted Layne that he was a project. The hope is he can develop into the top backup at outside corner next season behind starters Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. He has the size and athleticism to excel on the outside, but he still has a long ways to go in his development as a corner.
Grade: C

RB Benny Snell (fourth round): When Conner was injured in the middle of the season it was Snell who emerged and sparked a stagnant running game. After missing three games with a knee injury, Snell returned to the lineup led the Steelers in rushing in three consecutive games. He rushed for 202 yards over those three games, all victories that kept playoff hopes alive when the team was ravaged by injuries. Entering the final game, he has 335 yards on 90 carries. He has to get better as a pass protector. Once he proves himself in that area he’ll see his playing time increase.
Grade: B

TE Zach Gentry (fifth round): Gentry has dressed for just four games this season and has just one catch for four yards. For the third pick of the fifth round (No. 141 overall), it’s fair to expect a bit more. The Steelers drafted Jesse James in the fifth round (No. 160 overall) in the 2015 draft. By the second half of his rookie season, James was a contributor to the offense, compiling eight catches for 56 yards and another 22-yard catch in a playoff game in Denver. The Steelers haven’t shown that type of confidence in Gentry. He doesn’t have the luxury of Roethlisberger throwing the ball to him, but he’ll have much to prove next season. Rookie tight end Foster Moreau of Oakland was selected four picks before Gentry late in the fourth round. Moreau has 21 catches and five touchdowns. The Steelers never saw Gentry as a future starter, but there was hope he could develop into another James. He needs to have a good offseason and be ready to contribute more next season.
Grade: C-

DL Isaiah Buggs (sixth round): Like Layne, Buggs hasn’t seen the field much in his first pro season. He’s logged just 68 snaps and has two tackles. He has dressed for eight of the past nine games, suggesting he’s progressed to the point where he’s become a valued player on the defensive line rotation. He could have a much bigger role next season. With Hargrave likely to sign elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent, Buggs has an opportunity to make a bigger impression in 2020.
Grade: C

LB Ulysees Gilbert III (sixth round): Until a back injury forced him to injured reserve midway through the season, Gilbert carved out a role as a core special-teams player. He flashed playmaking ability on defense during the preseason and forced the Steelers to keep him on the 53-man roster, beating out another linebacker, Sutton Smith, who was selected 32 picks before Gilbert in the sixth round. If he can return to full health the Steelers look like they have a good backup inside linebacker and role player on special teams.
Grade: B-

QB Devlin Hodges (free agent): Duck Mania was running wild for a few weeks, but consecutive losses have highlighted some of the deficiencies in his game. He has thrown six interceptions in the past two games and was pulled in favor of Mason Rudolph against the Jets. He’ll get another start Sunday against the Ravens because Rudolph has a shoulder injury that will prevent him from playing. But even if the Steelers don’t make the playoffs, Hodges will be remembered for leading the team to three consecutive victories in the most unlikely fashion. He was undrafted and unsigned for a week after that. It wasn’t until he impressed at a rookie tryout camp a week after the draft that the Steelers signed him. For a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be in the league, he’s had a heck of a run no matter what happens in Baltimore.
Grade: C

RB Kerrith Whyte (free agent): Signed off the Bears practice squad in Week 12, Whyte has been a contributor for the offense and on special teams. He is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 20 yards per kickoff return. He’s the change-of-pace back the Steelers were missing in the first half of the season, and he could have a big role against the Ravens this week if Conner doesn’t play.
Grade: B-

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/12/25/Steelers-rookie-report-cards-are-in-Devin-Bush-Diontae-Johnson-Benny-Snell-Duck-Hodges/stories/201912250082

Sounds about right except I would upgrade Whyte to a B and downgrade Gentry to a D.

would like to see Conner and Whyte in the same backfield Conner hard runner between the tackles and Whyte with quick speed to the outside.

Whyte being the RB / Receiver in this set.