The once-daunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense has fallen off in the past few years after annually being one of the best units in the NFL.
In 2011 and 2012, the Steelers had the best defense in the NFL in total yards allowed. That veteran defense however got very old quickly, as the Steelers had a big drop off on the defensive side of the ball. In 2013, just one year removed from being the best defense in the NFL in yards allowed, the Steelers would drop to 13th in total yards allowed.
After a two-year absence from the NFL playoffs, the Steelers were able to once again make it in 2014, but there defense continued to head in the wrong direction. Last season, the Steelers would take another step backwards, as they were the 18th-ranked defense in total yards allowed.
Pittsburgh has attempted to get younger on the defensive side of the ball by using two first-round picks on linebackers in back-to-back-years. With the 17th in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Steelers would select linebacker Jarvis Jones from the University of Georgia.
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After transferring from USC to Georgia, Jones would dominate in the SEC for two seasons. In his sophomore season, Jones totaled 70 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. In 2012, Jones would be named SEC Defensive Player of the Year with a magnificent junior season. In his final season at Georgia, Jones totaled 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles.
Jones had an excellent college career, but so far that success hasn’t been seen in the NFL. In his rookie season, Jones played in 14 games, but didn’t make too much of an impact, as he only recorded one sack. Jones had his 2014 season interrupted after he dislocated his wrist in Week 3 while sacking Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton. Jones had two sacks in three games before being sidelined, as it looked like he could be ready for a good season.
When Jones came back in December, he was not able to have the same impact he did in the early part of the season. In the final five games of the season, including one in the playoffs, Jones totaled four tackles and one sack.
Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) chases in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
After the injury to Jones, the Steelers tapped into one of their former great players in linebacker James Harrison to help fill the void left by Jones. Despite not being on the team to start the season, Harrison would play great for the Steelers, totaling 5.5 sacks and 45 tackles in 11 games.
The Steelers’ organization has recently decided to re-sign Harrison to a two-year deal, which means there will be a big competition at the right outside linebacker position in Pittsburgh next season. The Steelers need to get younger on defense, and if Jones can’t beat out Harrison for the starting job at ROLB, he very well could be a bust of a draft pick for the Steelers.
Next: Will the Steelers draft a OLB?
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