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Steelers Pre-Camp Projected Depth Chart

By Kim Myers

Jul 27, 2015; Latrobe, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers huddle on the field during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Latrobe, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers huddle on the field during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers Bud Dupree (48) and James Harrison (92) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers Bud Dupree (48) and James Harrison (92) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Outside linebackers:

Starters: Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones

Backups: Arthur Moats, James Harrison

Those are two of the most beloved backups any team can have but the reality is that if Moats and Harrison get the majority of the playing time this season then that spells trouble for the future of the Steelers linebacking corps.

Moats is still young at the age of 28 but Bud Dupree was drafted to rush the edge and rush the edge he’s got to do if he wants his numbers to keep going up instead of stagnate like they did his rookie season.

Jarvis Jones is facing his make-or-break season of his career, not just with the Steelers, but his NFL career. Entering his fourth season since being drafted 17th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft Jones has literally only a handful of sacks to his name.

If 38-year-old James Harrison is out there lighting up quarterbacks it will delight Steeler Nation from sea to shining sea, but, it means that Jones is on the sidelines being ineffective yet again. That is no bueno.

There is no secret to the pressure that Jones is under this season as the Steelers made him their first draft pick that they didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on since that became available with the new CBA in 2011. It’s shape up or ship out time for Jones.

Next: Inside Linebackers

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