2017 draft class was a winner for Steelers, but time together might be running out

They grow up so fast.

It wasn’t long ago players such as JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner and T.J. Watt were seen as the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, it appears two of them are mere months from becoming part of the organization’s past.

That’s not assured, of course, but with Smith-Schuster and Conner entering the final year of their rookie contracts, odds point to them becoming unrestricted free agents in the spring.

So, Monday’s game against the New York Giants might be the final opener as teammates for members of their 2017 draft class, which is looking like one of the Steelers’ best in recent years. After three seasons, first-rounder Watt, second-rounder Smith-Schuster and third-rounder Conner each have been named to at least one Pro Bowl.

Unlike the draft class that preceded them — seven 2016 picks combined for zero Pro Bowl berths, and none remained with the team until Sean Davis was brought back via waivers Sunday — the Steelers’ rookie class from 3½ years ago is leaving its mark on the organization.

#Steelers draft picks have "heart and smarts" organization likes, writes @tribjoerutter. https://t.co/Vf8ld6I72p #NFLDraft

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) April 30, 2017

“We are very close,” Smith-Schuster said Friday.

“It’s good to see those guys who are still here, usually (by Year 4) those guys spread out and move places from time to time, but I think for most everybody in our draft class has been productive, making plays, putting stuff on tape.”

The Steelers whiffed at the bottom of the 2017 draft: fifth-round cornerback Brian Allen, sixth-round long snapper Colin Holba and seventh-round edge rusher Keion Adams combined for a total of 16 games with the team (all by Allen), and each is long gone.

But their five picks in the first four rounds are on the roster four seasons later, with Watt having developed into one of the NFL’s best defensive players, Smith-Schuster averaging almost 1,000 receiving yards per season and Conner averaging almost 100 yards from scrimmage per game since he became a starter in 2018.

Additionally, the player the Steelers took 11 picks prior to Conner in Round 3, Cameron Sutton, has filled a valuable hybrid role in their secondary. And 2017 fourth-round pick Josh Dobbs, brought back earlier this week, is the No. 3 quarterback.

“It was still even fun seeing Dobbs the other day,” Smith-Schuster said. “ ‘Hey man, how’s it going? How’s it been?’ When you come in in the same draft class, it honestly is like a brotherhood.”

But how long will it remain one, at least as teammates?

The Steelers have selected receivers with one of their top two picks in each of the three drafts since Smith-Schuster arrived. They’ve taken a running back with a mid-round pick each year since selecting Conner, too.

Dobbs already has come and gone, and Sutton might prefer to test the free-agent waters to see if another team can offer more playing time (and money).

Watt is the only one whose future with the Steelers seems safe: His fifth-year option already was exercised, and the Steelers will be willing to pay him plenty in an extension.

The 2017 draft class has more players named to at least one Pro Bowl for the Steelers than any since 1992 (Levon Kirkland, Joel Steed and Kendall Gammon), though the 2010 class reached three Pro Bowlers after Emanuel Sanders was selected as a member of the Denver Broncos.

“We all have a great relationship, everyone that came in together,” Conner said. “Me and (Sutton) were working out together in camp and thinking about how we got drafted together and kind of looked back and touched on how it’s a blessing we are still here, still competing to give all we can to this team.”

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