Steelers Last Decade of Drafting: Round 1 Review

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @JaysonErwin2002

Ladies and gentlemen, Yinzers of all ages, we've made it! From the 7th round review at the beginning of March to now! And I've saved the best for last!

With about a week left until the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off with the first round, that's the round I'll review right here. Some of the Steelers all-time greats are from the 1st round, names like "Mean" Joe Greene, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, William Shakespeare (no, not that one), and many more had the privilege of picking up the phone with "412" being the first three digits of the number. But it hasn't been all gold for the black and gold, with some players seen as the top prospects of the draft turned out to be massive disappointments. But sometimes, the Steelers have had absolute hits in the draft that have shaped the team today. What were these hits or misses? Let's list and grade 'em! 

2013: 

Jarvis Jones, LB

Grade: 4/10

Can we agree that Jones was the biggest draft bust of the last ten years for the Steelers? Jarvis Jones was selected 17th overall out of Georgia. His first season would be uneventful as he would play 637 snaps but only secure a single sack, 33 total tackles, and four pass deflections. Before 2014, Jones was named starting right outside linebacker with Lamar Woodley departing, and this would be his big chance to show why he was a first-round pick. Unfortunately, Jones, three games into the season, would suffer an injury to his wrist vs. the Carolina Panthers and be out for most of the season. The loss of Jones would lead to the resurgence of James Harrison in Pittsburgh. Jones would return in Week 14 but ultimately, a sophomore season down the drain. His 2nd season would only produce two sacks, 11 total tackles, and a forced fumble off 232 snaps. Jones would get another chance in 2015 and play 15 games, so SURELY, he would prove he was the right choice in the draft. No, he wouldn't and don't call me Shirley: 3 sacks, 22 total tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Oh, and 31% of his tackle attempts were misses. Safe to say the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. His final shot to prove himself was in 2016. He would play in 14 games, record a sack, 39 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Jones was labeled one of the biggest busts in the Steelers history and became a free agent after 2016. Arizona would pick him up but release him before the 2017 season, onto brighter things. 

2014:

Ryan Shazier, LB 

Grade: 8/10

I said brighter things, dang it! Ryan Shazier was selected 15th overall out of Ohio State. In his rookie year, he only played in 8 games due to a knee injury in Week 3 vs. Carolina. The same game that Jarvis Jones, as mentioned earlier.

Shazier would return in Week 8 but suffer another injury in Week 9, this time due to an ankle injury. Shazier would return in the season's final three games, but overall, an uneventful rookie year for the former Buckeye due to injuries. He would finish playing 259 snaps, recording 32 total tackles and a pass deflection. In 2015, Shazier would be granted the starting inside linebacker position and have a great season! Besides a shoulder injury that put him on the shelf from Weeks 3-6, Shazier would show why he was a first-round pick: 665 snaps, six sacks, 74 total tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.

But the most significant moment in his sophomore season came in the playoffs. The Steelers were down 16-15 with about 1:30 left in the game vs. the Bengals, and the Bengals were looking primed to win. A run by Jeremy Hill and Shazier would rip the ball out of Hill's hands, Ryan Cockrell would recover the ball, and the Steelers would take advantage and get the game-winning field goal! Shazier's late-game heroics would prove to be a theme in his career.

In 2016, Shazier would only get better! Despite another injury keeping him out of Weeks 4-6, Shazier would record four sacks, 84 total tackles, three forced fumbles, nine pass deflections, three interceptions (an additional two interceptions in the postseason), and was named a Pro Bowler. Ryan Shazier had a promising career so far and was one of the bright spots on a struggling defense, and 2017 was looking like another great year for Shazier. But, as I struggle to get through this without feeling depressed, this would be Shazier's last season. Shazier, up until Week 13 vs. the Bengals, would have 82 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

It was 2nd & 5, and Shazier would tackle head-first on Bengals receiver Josh Malone for a 3-yard gain. Everyone on the field stood up after the play---except for Shazier. Shazier would be seen on the ground, holding his back and unable to move his legs. A terrifying sight for all involved. It would be revealed Shazier suffered a spinal contusion and would have to have surgery. Despite the injury, Shazier would be named a Pro Bowler and #47 of the Top 100 Players of 2018. However, Shazier wouldn't let this injury stop him from being a huge inspiration. During the 2018 Draft, Shazier would walk to the podium with his fiancee to announce the first-round pick. In late 2018, Shazier would be seen jogging for the first time since the injury.

In 2019, Shazier would have his 2nd child and marry his fiancee, and 17 months after the doctors feared he would never walk again, he would dance with his wife at his wedding. In 2020, he graduated from college and retired from football. While Steeler Nation misses him dearly, Shazier has earned respect from all NFL fans across the league. 

2015:

Bud Dupree, LB

Grade: 7/10

A hat trick by the Steelers front office! Three linebackers in a row! Bud Dupree would be selected 22nd overall out of Kentucky. Dupree would be the second-string left outside linebacker behind veteran Arthur Moats. However, he would see the field a few times with 562 snaps. He would get four sacks, 24 total tackles, and a pass deflection.

In 2016, Dupree would be the starting left outside linebacker but suffered a groin injury and wouldn't be able to play until Week 12 but didn't start until Week 14. His sophomore season would have him take a snap 319 times for four sacks, 19 total tackles, and a forced fumble. So far, Dupree has shown flashes but has yet to prove to be the great playmaker the Steelers know he can be. Bud Dupree, however, would get some help at the opposite side of the outside linebacker spot with the Steelers drafting T.J. Watt.

Dupree would make his 2017 debut in Week 2 due to a shoulder injury and have a decent 2017 season with 794 snaps, six sacks, and 39 total tackles. The Steelers would pick up his 5th-year option, but the Steelers still had some questions regarding if Dupree could still be an elite threat to QBs. Dupree would go on to have a good season in 2018 with the duo of him and Watt starting to pick up. Dupree would finish his season with 869 snaps, six sacks, 34 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and a pick 6. In a contract year for Dupree, it was vital for him to be at his best if he wished to continue rockin' with the renegade. Little did you know, he would go on to have his best season! Dupree would play every game and record 980 snaps for the season. 13 sacks, 52 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and even an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his great game vs. the Colts in Week 9.

In 2020, Dupree would sign a franchise tag and play up until Week 12 vs. the Ravens due to a torn ACL that ended his season and his time in Pittsburgh. 609 snaps, nine sacks, 19 total tackles, and two forced fumbles would be his final stat line in Pittsburgh. He would spend two years with the Titans before being released in March 2023. He came close to resigning with Pittsburgh but signed with Atlanta instead. Overall, a decent first-round pick. 

2016:

Artie Burns, CB

Grade: 5/10

I guarantee this guy is the reason why most people are nervous if the Steelers do decide to pick up a corner in the first round of the draft this year. Artie Burns was selected 25th overall out of Miami (FL). When people discuss who the Steelers biggest bust was in the past ten years, it often goes between Burns or Jarvis Jones. And I'm going with the latter here because at least Burns had a decent rookie season. Burns would list as one of the top three starting corners in the depth chart for the Steelers, so he would get a decent amount of playing time in his rookie year. He wasn't bad, but he also wasn't great either. He played 809 snaps and recorded 55 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions. Pretty good. He also allowed five touchdowns, allowed 60.5% of passes completed when targeted, and allowed a 91.2 QB rating when targeted.

Burns would be named starting corner along with Joe Haden in 2017. Burns would have 975 snaps and record 52 total tackles, force a fumble, and allow an 87.3 QB rating when targeted, a slight improvement from last year. But with that, there's also the fact he allowed four touchdowns and only got one interception throughout the season. In 2018, Burns would go down the chart with the addition of Mike Hilton. Burns would only start six games and play 308 snaps. He would record 19 total tackles, a forced fumble, and allow 73.1% passes completed when targeted, a QB rating of 149 when targeted, and four touchdowns. It wasn't looking good for Artie, as the Steelers declined his 5th-year option.

2019 would be the final season for Burns as a Steeler, and he would only start only one game and play a total of 67 snaps throughout the season. He would record seven tackles and allowed 100% passes completed when targeted, allowed a touchdown, and allowed a 152.1 QB rating. He would have brief stints with the Bears and Seahawks but remains a free agent today. 

2017: 

T.J. Watt, LB

Grade: 10/10

If you thought Watt would be anything less than 10, I don't care what your job is; you're fired. T.J. Watt was selected 30th overall out of Wisconsin. Few people can say that their presence can change a defense. TJ walked into the locker room, approached Cameron Heyward, and said, "Look at me. I'm the captain now". What can I say about Watt that has yet to be said? I'm about to tell them over again, so let me get my thesaurus out and find the word game-wrecker. Watt would compete with Steeler veteran James Harrison for the starting right outside linebacker position. Despite the competition, Watt would win the spot and immediately make a splash in his debut game vs. Cleveland. 2 sacks, seven total tackles, and an interception. His rookie year would end rather nicely. Watt ended it with 15 games played, eight sacks, 46 total tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. A great start to his career! 2018 would be even better! The theme of Watt wrecking the Browns continues in the opening week. Ten total tackles, three sacks, and blocked a game-winning field goal. He would earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week for this performance. TJ showed dominance early in his career from the first week to the final. 51 total tackles, 13 sacks, and six forced fumbles for the 2018 campaign, and even ranked 93rd overall in the Top 100 NFL Players of 2019.

Going into 2019, Watt has been establishing himself as one of the best pass rushers in the game, and with another elite season, Watt will prove to be one of the league's best. Wouldn't you know, he did just that. While fans were grieving the season-long injury to Ben Roethlisberger, Watt would give them a reason to keep hope alive from the defensive side as the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick made the defense stronger. 2019 T.J. Watt would record 15 sacks, 39 total tackles, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions! Watt would earn many accolades for this performance; Pro Bowl, Team MVP, All-Pro, 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year, and ranked 25th in NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. Best part? We have yet to get to his peak! 

2020 would be another excellent year for Watt. Not just stat-wise but bank account-wise! Watt got PAID, a 4-year extension worth over $112M. The stats would also be insane! Fifteen sacks, 37 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Even more accolades to his name, AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2, AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November, Team MVP, Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro, 9th in NFL Top 100 Players of 2021, and DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE- wait he didn't win that year? He was first in sacks, tackles for loss, and QB hits! Fine, whatever. There's always next year, especially since that is his best season! 

Twenty-two sacks, which ties the NFL single-season record, 41 total tackles, and five forced fumbles! Many records to his name! 3x AFC Defensive Player of the Week winner, Team MVP (3rd consecutive year), broke the franchise record for most sacks in a season (previously owned by James Harrison with 16), Pro Bowl, First Team All-Pro, #6 in Top 100 NFL Players of 2022 and last but certainly not least, Defensive Player of the Year! Now a new season! I wonder what Watt will be able to accomplish this season---why are Steeler fans trying to donate their pecs so badly? Watt, in Week 1, tore his pectoral and would be on IR till Week 10. Despite the setback, Watt would still have a good season, with 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions, and 32 total tackles. The defense is at its best with a fully healthy Watt, and the Steelers struggled mightily without him. With a hyped-up Highsmith and healthy Watt, fellow QBs, I feel bad for you. Also, it's highly likely Watt will break the franchise record for sacks next year. All he needs is nine sacks. Stay tuned! 

2018:

Terrell Edmunds, S

Grade: 6/10

Terrell Edmunds was selected 28th overall out of Virginia Tech. His rookie year had some hope but also some concern. Edmunds would get one interception, 67 total tackles, a sack, allow a passing completion percentage of 68.6 when targeted and allowed a touchdown, and a QB rating of 88.5. Overall, an average rookie season. Edmunds would have a downgrade of a sophomore season. He would play a snap 1,036 times and got 96 total tackles, allowing 73% of passes to be completed when he was targeted, allowing two touchdowns, and allowing a QB rating of 120.8. Overall, not a good season.

Would his third be any better? Well, yes. 865 snaps, 68 total tackles, allowed 56% of completed passes when targeted, allowed two touchdowns, allowed 76.2 QB rating, and two interceptions. MUCH better season. The Steelers declined his 5th-year option, so this HAD to be a good season. Edmunds would play 1,145 snaps in 2021 and get 88 total tackles, allowing 75.6% of passes completed when targeted, allowing three touchdowns, two interceptions, and allowing a 94.4 QBR. The Steelers decided to bring him back for one more year in 2022 after signing a 1-year contract. He played 886 snaps and recorded two sacks, and 66 total tackles, allowing 64.9% of passes completed when targeted, allowing four touchdowns, and allowing a 132.4 QBR. Terrell then went to free agency and is now signed by another Pennsylvania team, the Eagles. 

2019:

Devin Bush, LB

Grade: 5/10

The last time the Steelers had a top-ten overall pick was in 2000, with Plaxico Burress at 8th overall. When the Steelers traded up in a rare trade-up in the draft, it shocked many people and excited them, too. Devin Bush was selected 10th overall out of Michigan. His first season would go well. He would record 106 total tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery touchdown. And even won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 performance vs. the Chargers, where he made seven tackles, recovered a fumble for a touchdown, and intercepted the ball.

Bush, in 2020 was looking to continue growing into the defense. But disaster struck when he tore his ACL in Week 6 vs. the Browns. Before then, Bush had two sacks and 27 total tackles. I would love to say Bush came back from this and performed well, but there's a reason fans aren't too fond of him. Bush wouldn't ever be the same after the injury. He would play 762 snaps, 67 total tackles, a forced fumble, allowed 77.4% of passes to be completed when targeted, allowed two touchdowns, and allowed a 106.9 QBR. His playmaker skills shown in his rookie year weren't the same, and Devin was in the final year of his rookie contract with the Steelers declining his 5th-year option. In 2022, he would play all 17 games and record 83 total tackles, allowing 76.9% of passes completed when targeted, allowing a touchdown, and allowing a 110.5 QBR. It was a better season, but not the top 10 selected in the draft season. Bush would enter free agency and is set to play for the Seahawks in 2023. 

2021:

Najee Harris, RB

Grade: 8/10

Fun fact, this guy was the first offensive player selected in the draft by the Steelers since 2012, when the Steelers drafted David Decastro. Najee Harris was selected 24th overall out of Alabama. The Steelers running game has not seen a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017 and is in shambles, so a new face is needed to help the cause. Harris was the man. Najee would immediately become a fan favorite and showed confidence in his ability Steeler fans haven't seen in years. Harris opened his rookie year with 1,200 yards rushing off 353 carries with seven touchdowns. Harris was reliable with short-yard gains when needed, led all running backs in receptions with 74, was listed as a Pro Bowl alternate, and was named in the NFL All-Rookie Team. Next season, Harris wouldn't have the same great success, but how he ended the season compared to how he started was very impressive. When the bye week rolled around, Harris only went over 50 yards rushing three times. Afterward, though, Harris would go over 50 yards rushing 7 in the last nine games. His final stat line would be 272 carries for 1,038 yards and seven touchdowns. First Steeler player ever to run 1,000+ yards in their first two seasons. Will Najee make it a hat trick in 2023? Sure, hope so!

2022:

Kenny Pickett, QB

Grade: 7/10

And last but certainly not least, Kenny freakin' Pickett! Kenny Pickett was selected 20th overall out of...*pause for dramatic effect*...PITT! Though he's only been on the roster for a year, the Steelers and their fans are going chips down, cards on the table for him. Despite the concern due to his eight 1/2-inch hands, Pickett has shown flashes of greatness. Despite a slow start in his career, having a 2:8 touchdown-interception ratio before the bye week, Pickett has made up for it by getting more and more confident with each passing (get-it?) week. His touchdown-interception ratio post-bye week was 5:1. With Pickett getting his weapons like Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and the newly acquired Allen Robinson, and with rumors the Steelers might go receiver in the draft (presumably Jordan Addison, Pickett's old target in college) and the Steelers making moves with the offensive line (or the "Pickett Fence") with the addition of Nate Herbig, who allowed one sack last year with 707 snaps, and Isaac Seumalo, who also only allowed one sack last year with 1,135 snaps, AND with Pickett and offensive coordinator Matt Canada growing confidence in each other, could Pickett be due for a breakout year in his sophomore campaign???

For the Round 2 review (ft. Le'Veon Bell, Chase Claypool, George Pickens, and more!), click here:

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-2-review

For the Round 3 review (ft. James Conner, Javon Hargrave, Diontae Johnson, and more!), click here: 

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-3-review

For the Round 4 review (ft. Martavis Bryant, Kevin Dotson, Dan Moore, and more!), click here: 

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-4-review

For the Round 5 review (ft. Jesse James, Zach Gentry, Jaylen Samuels, and more!), click here:

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-5-review

For the Round 6 review (ft. Vince Williams, Connor Heyward, Isaiah Buggs, and more!), click here: 

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-6-review

For the Round 7 review (ft. Tyler Matakevich, Pressley Harvin, Tre Norwood, and more!), click here:

https://www.yinzercrazy.com/steelers-last-decade-of-drafting-round-7-review

I hope you all enjoyed the articles and reviews! Seven pieces, seven rounds, 78 players, all through 10 years of drafting for the Pittsburgh Steelers! And that is that! We'll see who the Steelers will add to their team in one week! Will this draft class be the one that gets us to Seven Heaven?