Reasons for Steelers Super Bowl drought: Part one

Another first-round “bust” for the Steelers, a transcendent running back, a starting ILB and a stalwart DE

2013 Draft

After missing the playoffs in the 2012 season, once again in perpetuity, hope was renewed with the 2013 draft.  In that draft, Jarvis Jones was the seventeenth pick in the first round.  Jones started in (35) of the (50) games in which he played.  After not picking up his fifth-year option, Jones was no longer a Steeler. A first-round whiff.

In (4) seasons, Jones notched an unimpressive (6) sacks and (2) interceptions.  He played out his rookie contract and that, as they say, was that. To put this into perspective, instead of drafting Jones, we could have drafted Eric Reid, Tyler Eifert, Desmond Trufant, Xavier Rhodes or DeAndre Hopkins, all of whom were drafted in the first round and after Jones. I would purport that Jones was a “bust”.

Also in 2013, we drafted Le’Veon Bell, Marcus Wheaton and Vince Williams.  No need to describe what Bell brought to the table; I think we all know what impact he had on the team. Wheaton played four seasons for us.  His tenure could be described as unfulfilled potential.  Williams is one of our starting ILB’s (inside linebackers).  He is as stout against the run as there is.  For a sixth-round pick, I would offer that Williams has exceeded expectations.

2014 Draft

Having missed the playoffs yet again in 2013, we had the 2014 draft to which to look forward.  In that draft, we selected Ryan Shazier in the first round, Stephon Tuitt in the second round, Martavis Bryant in the fourth round and Dan McCullers in the sixth round.

Before his injury, Ryan Shazier was establishing himself as one of the best ILB’s in the NFL, as evidenced by the fact that he was voted to (2) consecutive Pro Bowls.  In his absence, the ILB position has suffered. Quite frankly, the entire defense has suffered.  I truly hope his story will, one day, continue to be written.

In five seasons, Tuitt has started (58) of the (70) games in which he has played. He is a solid starter, who, I believe, has not yet reached his full potential. Although he has recorded only (20) sacks in career, we need to keep in mind that our defensive scheme does not always lend itself to allowing the DE to accumulate sacks.  We will explore our schemes on offense and on defense in part two of our series.

In three seasons with us, Bryant averaged (42) receptions and (639) yards per season.  Had it not been for Bryant’s off the field issues and for his demand to be traded, he would probably be the starting receiver alongside JuJu Smith-Shuster this upcoming season.

McCullers, in my opinion, is the epitome of unfulfilled potential.  Listed at 6’7″ and 325 LBS, he has the physical gifts to become a dominant NT (nose tackle). Unfortunately, he has not quite put it all together yet.  Hopefully, he will because a 3-4 defense relies on the Nose Tackle being able to occupy two O-linemen.

I would offer that the 2013 and 2014 draft classes had or are having an above average impact on our success.