Pittsburgh Steelers: Ranking the last 10 top picks in NFL Draft

6. Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky (2015)

The Steelers reached for Dupree when they selected him with the 22nd overall pick in 2015. For his first four seasons, Dupree produced numbers similar to Leonard Floyd, the ninth overall pick in 2016 who the Chicago Bears recently cut. However, the Steelers still picked up Dupree’s fifth-year rookie option and he delivered.

This past season, Dupree produced four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 11.5 sacks, 68 tackles, and 17 quarterback hits. Those all mark career-highs for the 27-year-old. In comparison, he only produced two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 20 sacks, 132 tackles, and 33 quarterback hits through his first four seasons.

Pittsburgh elected to franchise tag Dupree this offseason. Another year of production will reveal whether he can perform at a high level consistently.

5. Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State (2014)

The 15th overall pick in 2014, Shazier joined a defense transitioning from an aging core to a new group of players. Pittsburgh hoped Shazier could anchor the team’s interior for the next decade. Midway through his fourth season, it seemed like he would become everything the Steelers needed and then some.

Unfortunately, Shazier suffered a spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 of the 2017 season. The injury initially left Shazier paralyzed below the waist, but he did recover over time. Now, Shazier is healthy, married, and raising a child. Since his legs improved, he’s also contributing on the sideline for Pittsburgh in an unofficial coaching role.

Shazier made Pro Bowls in 2016 and 2017. If not for the injury, he was a frontrunner for a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017.