NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Aug 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers ILB Ryan Shazier

One of the NFL’s most athletic inside linebackers, Ryan Shazier wasn’t able to meet expectations as a first-round rookie because of a serious injury that limited him to nine games.

But in case you forgot what a 6’1″, 237-pound linebacker with a 42-inch vertical and 4.38 forty time is capable of, there’s this GIF for your viewing pleasure that is just oozing with explosiveness.

Outside of recently extended 3-4 defensive end Cameron Heyward and trade acquisition Brandon Boykin at corner, Shazier is the only other player on the Steelers with the ability to be a game-changer. The Steelers sorely need him to fly around and make big plays in pass coverage and run defense this season, and few second-year defensive players have as lofty expectations as Shazier (Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack are two of those “few” players).

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