With the 22nd Pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers Select...

 So many options were available and the Steelers drafted Bud Dupree. Although it isn’t the pick most thought it would be, Dupree can be something special. What no one expected was for his name to be called, but Steelers’ fans should be excited. It’s not like drafting a linebacker is a bad thing when it comes to the Steelers. If any team can transform an average pass rusher into an all-star, it’s Pittsburgh.

Steelers’ fans had to be a little spectacle when first hearing the name called for the 22nd pick in the draft, especially with Byron Jones still being available. The thought of rebuilding the secondary is a major concern for the Steelers and most people were confident they would take a corner in the first round.

Then you stop and think about it, the Steelers finished with the second fewest sacks in team history last season. Everyone is uneasy about drafting Shane Ray and Randy Gregory. Marcus Peters may have been the best cornerback in the draft, but he was taken by the Chiefs at pick 19. That makes Bud Dupree a reliable and promising choice.

No one can knock Dupree’s 74 tackles and 7.5 sacks or his 6’4” 269 lb frame. Dupree can be a real defensive powerhouse with the Steelers, especially with their past of developing linebackers. He may not be a Randy Gregory, who is known to be able to get past any offensive linemen, and Dupree isn’t the cornerback that everyone expected. What he is, is a solid linebacker with a bright future.

Dupree also resembles Lawrence Timmons, which is a great thing for fans. His 4.5 40-yard dash was extremely impressive for his big frame. He shows to be a constant worker like Timmons and has the coverage and pass rush ability that Timmons has. Timmons, who also was an underrated player coming out of the draft, showed he can be a threat from day one. If Dupree’s work ethic is as high as it’s known to be then he should have no problem developing into a strong linebacker for the Steelers.

He may not have been the pick that people expected, but Bud Dupree is a great pick. In the situation that the Steelers’ defense is currently in, they can use many players in different positions. Bud Dupree’s willingness to work should allow him to have a significant impact for the Steelers for many years to come.