Will first round picks Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Alvin “Bud” Dupree be impact players for the Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for some of the best linebackers in the NFL. The list of Steelers linebackers that have dominated the position is long and distinguished. They include Andy Russell, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Joey Porter, Jason Gildon, LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons.
Yet of that distinguished group, only Timmons was selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
Now, the Steelers have selected linebackers in the first round three consecutive years, and the Steelers hope the trio of Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree can add their names to the list of elite linebackers who have worn the black and gold.
If the Steelers plan on improving defensively in 2015, Jones, Shazier and Dupree will have to make a significant impact and prove their worth as first round picks.
Though only Shazier is currently listed as a starter among the three, Jones is expected to make a strong push to supplant veteran Arthur Moats as the full-time starter at left outside linebacker. Jones was a starter much of his rookie season and had some growing pains, certainly reasonable considering the complicated schemes of the Steeler defense.
Last season expectations were raised for Jones, and after registering two sacks over the first three games it looked he was well on his way to meeting them. All that changed with a wrist injury that would effectively end Jones season, and now the onus is on Jones to not only beat out Moats as a starter, but become the pass rushing specialist they envisioned when they selected him with the 17th overall pick in 2013.
The Steelers could use that pass rushing specialist considering the 33 sacks produced by the defense was the lowest total in 25 seasons. If Jones can play to a higher standard and stay healthy, there’s reason to believe he can help push that total up significantly.
Much like Jones, Shazier was drafted last year with a label of being a freakish athlete with an impressive resume while starring at Ohio State. The Steelers drafted the speedy inside linebacker to be the perfect complement to Timmons and it seemed like a solid choice.
Immediately placed in the starting lineup from day one, Shazier struggled with injuries early, and at times looked physically overmatched on the field. The Steelers made it clear that Shazier would need to add weight to his 237-pound frame in order to handle the rigors of playing inside linebacker in the NFL.
Shazier taking a big step forward in year two would be a significant win for the Steeler defense and would make the inside linebacker tandem of Shazier and Timmons as good as any in the game. Though both Sean Spence and Vince Williams have starting experience, the general consensus is neither player has the talent or upside of Shazier, and the Steelers defense would be vastly improved if Shazier can deliver this season.
Dupree comes into his rookie season with the least pressure. As a first-year player, that makes sense, but the re-signing of James Harrison should also allow Dupree to learn the nuances of playing linebacker in the NFL without the same pressure that was placed on Jones and Shazier as rookies.
That being said, Dupree was drafted for the same reasons as Jones; to be a disruptive pass rushing specialist that the Steelers have been known for producing for years. With Harrison now 37 and winding down his career, the Steelers would love to see Dupree prove he is ready to make an impact early. He may not supplant Harrison as a full time starter, but it’s not impossible to think he could see the field as a part-time player to spell the veteran Harrison situationally.
The Steelers defense have looked to their linebackers to be the heart and soul of their successful defenses. If the 2015 Steelers defense is going to get back to the high standard fans have become accustomed to, Jones, Shazier and Dupree will need to make an impact and contribute immediately.
