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Ranking each of Steelers’ 1st round picks over the past decade

By Tommy Jaggi

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 28: Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on August 28, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 28: Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on August 28, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 02: Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs up field after intercepting a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 02: Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs up field after intercepting a pass in the first quarter during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on October 2, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

10. Jarvis Jones (2013)

Over the past 10 seasons for the Steelers, no player selected in the first round of the draft was a bigger bust than Jarvis Jones. The Georgia product was an incredibly productive outside linebacker in college- collecting 28.0 sacks and 44.0 tackles for a loss over is past two seasons with the Bulldogs.

However, his stats proved to be misleading. Jones tested as one of the worst athletes we have seen at the position, but that didn’t deter the Steelers from spending the 17th overall pick on Jones. Jarvis Jones never had more than 2.0 sacks in a season, and finished his 4-year career with just 6.0 sacks. He was so bad that he couldn’t make a roster after playing his rookie contract in Pittsburgh.

9. Artie Burns (2016)

Coming in close 2nd place for the worst 1st round pick over the past decade for the Steelers is cornerback, Artie Burns. I despised the selection when the Steelers took him in 2016, as I had a 3rd round grade on Burns.

My assessment proved to be closer to correct. Though he had a decent rookie season (and even 2nd year with the Steelers), burns has been atrocious as of late. He was thoroughly disappointing in his 6 starts last season and was ultimately benched for journeyman, Coty Sensabaugh. Burns played just 29.5 percent of defensive snaps last season, and looked like he didn’t have a clue what he was doing.

8. Bud Dupree (2015)

Bud Dupree isn’t the worst player in the world and unlike Jarvis Jones, he certainly deserves a spot on an NFL roster. What he does not deserve, however, is the $9.2M price tag he is earning with the Steelers this season.

Dupree has been disappointing by 1st round standards, and has failed to make a major impact so far for the Steelers. Dupree was explosive, but not productive in college, and that trend followed him into the NFL. He has just 20.0 sacks in four season. Last year Dupree managed 5.5 sacks on a whopping 868 defensive snaps.

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