Draft season is here. While it’s disappointing to see the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season end in one-and-done fashion again, we’re transitioning from postseason to offseason. A change in head coach will make for a fascinating couple of months. We’re making some changes, too. Introducing the new Steelers Depot draft scale we will use for every scouting report we write on a 2026 prospect.

Below is our new scale.

2026 NFL Draft: Steelers Depot Grading Scale

Grade:
Classification
Description

9.5-10.0
Hall of Famer
Blue-chip prospect with few flaws or concerns in his game. Has ability to become one of the best players at his position of his generation. Rare player with true tangibles and intangibles to reach football’s greatest heights.

9.0-9.4
All-Pro
Stellar player with physical and mental makeup to dominate the NFL. Not a true “generational” prospect, but will be one of the best players at his position for an extended period of time.

8.0-8.9
Long-time Starter
Lacks upside of being elite among his peers, but has a well-rounded game that will keep him in starting lineups for years. Consistent play and meets physical and mental requirements to succeed in the NFL.

7.0-7.9
Spot Starter
Backup who could start or give rotational snaps in niche roles or for periods of time, but not long stretches. Lacks either physical or mental tools to be an every-down player. Still, shows talent to have a role on an NFL roster.

6.0-6.9
Pure Backup
NFL backup who shouldn’t be pressed into starting action. Lower-level player with obvious physical and mental concerns. Will fight for a roster spot each year but has enough ability to stick, especially in the right scheme.

5.0-5.9
Fringe Roster Player
Will struggle to stick on a 53-man roster each year and profiles more as a practice squader. Severe physical and/or mental concerns that will hold back his NFL contributions.

4.0-4.9
Camp Invite
Player who will fight to remain on a 90-man roster and NFL team consistently. Likely to bounce around multiple clubs. Lacks physical and mental tools to become an NFL player.

(MED) = Injury Flag/Concerns

(OFF) = Off-Field/Legal Concerns

(ST) = High Special Teams Value

(V) = High Versatility On His Side Of Ball

Though not a radical difference from our previous versions, this one is tighter and less complicated. The table has shrunk from 11 to 7 categories. Players are assigned to buckets based on expected outcomes. Everything from camp invite to Hall of Famer. It’ll paint a clearer picture of the projection, and aside from the 9’s, every category has its own number. So if you see a grade begin with a “7,” you immediately know he’s in the “Spot Starter” category.

We’ve also added more tags to our grade. Previously, we had ones just for injury and off-field. This year, we are adding them for special teams value and versatility. That will make it even clearer the specific strengths and traits of players for you (and us) to sort through, especially on Day Three of the draft.

Crucially, this scale does not include a round. We won’t assign a round to a player in our personal grades, though we will still note their current NFL projection, so you have an understanding of where they are expected to go. Rounds don’t always correlate with player talent. A position of “lesser” value, like guard, safety, or off-ball linebacker, can drop a player regardless of talent. Quarterbacks, offensive tackles, and pass rushers naturally get pushed up.

Just as importantly, the strength and weakness of a position’s depth often influences the round a player is taken. None of which reflects a player’s ability.

One other change for the grades. We will be offering our “official” grade, but also a range. A low and high-end of expected outcomes for a player. So it may read something like:

Depot Grade: 7.1
Grade Range: 6.4-8.3

Sometimes, the range will be much tighter. This is done to understand a player’s ceiling and floor. One problem in the past was evaluating “boom/bust” prospects. Players who had a high floor and ceiling. Maybe they become a stellar starter. Maybe they flame out. It was hard to show that in a single number or round. The range should understand a player better, even if every prospect’s future is truly unpredictable. Long-term, we may decide this isn’t the best way to go about it, but it’ll be our approach for 2026.

A link to this post will be attached to each scouting report as a quick reference if needed.

We’re gearing up to start producing our first scouting reports in the coming days. And will have boots on the ground for the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, and NFL Combine. We’ll also have a new draft lead, Ryan Paglia, who will post weekly mock drafts and write most of our reports. It’ll be a busy draft season ahead with a brand new Steelers look, and we’re excited to begin with you all.