Reevaluating the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 draft class
Jarvis Jones LB, Georgia – Round 1, 17 overall
Jarvis Jones was highly touted coming out of the University of Georgia. He had raw power and strength to get through tackles and get to the quarterback.
This style linebacker and the sack production at Georgia was enticing enough to the Steelers to ignore the medical question marks and take him at number 17 overall. The Steelers would soon learn this was a grave mistake on their end.
Jones entered the Steelers camp in 2013 as the favorite to take over the starting outside spot. LaMarr Woodley was on the decline and the defense needed help on the outside.
Jones did not show much in 14 games as a rookie getting just one sack and three QB hits with eight starts. This was a dud year for a 17th overall selection but the team remained hopeful that he could blossom into the starter they needed.
He did not fare better in 2014 as he battled injuries and low production with just two sacks in seven games. The “bust” label was starting to creep in and Jones could not pull himself out of the hole.
Jarvis remained on the team for two more seasons playing in 29 games over 2015 and 2016 but he only amassed three more sacks and 11 QB hits in those games.
Jones battled the injury bug and lack of production all the way to his end in Pittsburgh. His fifth year option was declined quicker than Willie Parker‘s 75 yard dash to the end zone in Super Bowl 40.
Jones is now out of the league after a brief stint in Arizona. It is easily one of the worst draft picks in the Steelers recent history and deserves the grade it gets.