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3 takeaways from the Steelers first three draft choices

By Michelle Kotts

Nov 3, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the ball by guard David DeCastro (66) as they play the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the ball by guard David DeCastro (66) as they play the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steelers Bud Dupree (48) Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

Bud Who?

Sure, losing Devin Bush and Bud Dupree when the Steelers needed them down the stretch hurt. The injury to Robert Spillane didn’t help matters.  Then Bud Dupree signed with the Titans. Fans wanted Pittsburgh to resign Dupree. It makes sense that fans wanted or thought the Steelers would take a linebacker with the first selection or the second. They didn’t.

The first reason is Devin Bush will return this year. Ok, one can argue his knee injury could affect his on-field ability. He wouldn’t be the first player to experience this. So, it’s a safe assumption based on the progress he’s made since his injury, the Steelers must expect he should make close to a 100% recovery. If that’s the case, the only thing Pittsburgh lost is Bud Dupree. So that means the Steelers are not concerned about what they lost with Dupree, and they can find quality talent late in the draft, which will replace anything they lost when he bolted. Here’s why.

Over six years, Dupree had 39.5 sacks, which comes to 6.85 sacks a year. The only reason his total is that high was because of the 2019 season when he had 11.5 sacks; otherwise, he was only averaging 5.8 sacks a season. Over six years, he had 231 combination tackles and 169 solo tackles. With that, he had eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In comparison, over four seasons, TJ Watt has 49.5 sacks, 230 combination tackles, 168 solos tackles, the same amount as Dupree in two fewer seasons. He also has four interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.

Devin Bush, until his injury, only played 20 games; however, in his first season, he had 109 combination tackles and 72 solo tackles in 2019. He added another 26 combination tackles and 16 solo tackles in 2020 before he was injured. Bud Dupree’s best season was 68 combination tackles and 49 solo tackle. TJ Watt’s best season was 68 combination tackles and 50 solo tackles.

Pittsburgh understood they lost a little bit with Dupree, but he was the most expendable player in the linebacker corps. While fans thought his departure was doom and gloom, the Steelers understood they lost much less than fans thought. They could save money and get a later-round draft choice replacement for Dupree while spending more money on the first-round high-impact player.

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