If a grade were to be handed out for the collective rookie season of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 draft class, perhaps the most appropriate letter grade would be an “I.”

And not necessarily for “incomplete,” though that could probably apply as well. Try “I” for “injury-affected.”

The first-round pick was limited to one game because of injury. He was one of five members of the seven-player draft class who ended the season out because of injury, including four on the injured reserve list.

That made for somewhat of a virtual “redshirt” season for the Steelers’ 2024 rookies, one in which the lessons learned were as much regarding issues off the field as on it.

“It’s a lot different in this league,” first-round pick Troy Fautanu said this week after the season ended. “You have to find a way to get a winning edge — and that’s taking care of your body. That’s something I have learned here these past four months.”

It’s a lesson many in the Steelers rookie class could learn from. Fautanu, an offensive tackle drafted 20th overall, suffered two knee injuries: one in the preseason opener in August and another during the week of practice after his lone regular-season game in September.

One game is likewise what the Steelers’ first third-round pick, receiver Roman Wilson, was limited to as a rookie. He suffered an ankle injury early in training camp and a hamstring ailment in October.

Both of the Steelers sixth-round picks — defensive lineman Logan Lee (calf) and defensive back Ryan Watts (neck) — missed the entire regular season because of injuries. Fourth-round guard Mason McCormick made it through all 17 regular-season games (starting 14), but a broken hand suffered in the regular-season finale kept him out of last weekend’s wild-card playoff loss in Baltimore.

Add it up, and among the Steelers’ draft class, four players combined for two regular-season games. Two, at least, Lee and Wilson, returned to practice the final two weeks.

“It was super nice, just having 18 or so weeks off and not being able to put hands on people,” Lee said of his six practices this month. “I actually really got better that second week.

“After taking so much time off … it was huge for my development being able to get some more reps and being able to get some time on the field. And it was a ton of fun, too — we will take it.”

Not as fun, of course, as playing in games. The only members of the rookie draft class who were doing that during the Steelers’ brief postseason appearance were second-round center Zach Frazier (who was the team’s rookie of the year) and Round 3b pick linebacker Payton Wilson.

Of course, undrafted defensive back Beanie Bishop also made an impact as a rookie, playing in all 18 games. In addition to being a regular on special teams, Bishop played 50% of the defensive snaps during the regular season. Although his role diminished by late December, Bishop finished second on the team in interceptions with four.

Bishop and Payton Wilson were the only rookies to play in every game (including playoffs) this season.

“I know I can’t control how much I play and things like that,” Bishop said after the regular season ended. “The plays that I do have, I try to make sure that I don’t make any mistakes and be opportunistic. The ball finds good players. Just trying to be where I’m supposed to be.”

Payton Wilson, ironically, fell down draft boards in part because he had a lengthy history of injury. He was the only Steelers draft pick to stay healthy all season.

“I used to just play the game of football, just running around and try to take people’s heads off,” Wilson said. “I now understand the repercussions that come with it. The ‘prehab’ and the rehab that I do now, I really think it’s a recipe for a long career.”

There is no reason to believe the Steelers’ other 2024 rookies can’t have long careers. Each, in his own way, showed promise. It would not be a surprise if the three offensive linemen from the ’24 draft class end up starting multiple years lined up next to each other.

After a promising rookie season as a part-time starter, Payton Wilson could be in line for a bigger role going forward. A healthy summer from Roman Wilson could portend a role in the 2025 offense. Lee and Watts, at least, could develop into role players as soon as this coming season.

As long, of course, as they can stay healthy.

After a year of watching veterans care for their bodies combined with a 2025 offseason without the physical burden of draft prep they endured in 2024, the Steelers rookie class exclaims confidence that it can ascend in Year 2.

“As rookies, we have been going since Jan. 1 of last year,” Payton Wilson said. “So it’s been a long season and a long year. Just excited to get home and kind of do my own training.”

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