As the old adage goes, “defense wins championships”. And it couldn’t be truer for the Pittsburgh Steelers as their young defenders will determine their ultimate fate in 2017.
Pittsburgh Steelers Young Defenders Will Determine Team’s Fate in 2017
When healthy, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense is the most talented in the National Football League. Boasting an elite quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), running back (Le’Veon Bell), wide receiver (Antonio Brown) and multiple offensive linemen (Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Alejandro Villanueva), very few teams can compare to this team’s talent at the present time.
Over the past few years, general manager Kevin Colbert and the front office have been stockpiling young talent on the defensive side of the ball after years of neglect. For many years, the Steelers were one of the oldest rosters on the defensive side of the ball. That has certainly changed over the past four years.
A History of Defensive Draft Picks the Past Five Years
2013 – Jarvis Jones (Round 1), Shamarko Thomas (Round 4), and Vince Williams (Round 6). Although only Vince Williams remains on defense from the 2013 draft class, he will play an important role. He has shown a knack for making plays and is regarded as one of the hardest hitters on the team. Williams was a constant on special teams the first few years while he sat behind veteran Lawrence Timmons. Now that Timmons has taken his talents to South Beach, Williams will start opposite inside linebacker Ryan Shazier to present a young and athletic middle to their defense.
2014 – Ryan Shazier (Round 1), Stephon Tuitt (Round 2), Shaquille Richardson (Round 5), Jordan Zumwalt (Round 6), Dan McCullers (Round 7). The Steelers clearly went defense heavy as their roster was at a tipping point and needed to be addressed immediately. Selecting a starting inside linebacker and starting defensive end with your first and second picks has paid dividends over the past few years. Shazier, when healthy, is a ball hawk like no other. He is regarded as one of the fastest players on the entire roster. Tuitt, much like Shazier, is a stud when not bothered by injury. Although he’s battled through multiple knee injuries during his short career, Tuitt is an excellent bookend with Cam Heyward.
2015 – Bud Dupree (Round 1), Senquez Golson (Round 2), Doran Grant (Round 4), Leterrius Walton (Round 6), Anthony Chickillo (Round 6), Gerod Holliman (Round 7). The Steelers were lacking a pass rush so they went out and got the best pass rusher available in Bud Dupree. Dupree battled back from an injury in 2016 and started seven games accumulating 4.5 sacks (.5 more than his rookie year where he played in 16 games). Senquez Golson was an absolute ball hawk his senior season at Ole Miss where he accumulated ten interceptions. Unfortunately, Golson has had terrible injury luck and has yet to see a snap for the Steelers. Anthony Chickillo has provided great depth at outside linebacker and is a regular special teams player.
2016 – Artie Burns (Round 1), Sean Davis (Round 2), Javon Hargrave (Round 3), Travis Feeney (Round 6), Tyler Matakevich (Round 7). Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave all saw significant playing time in 2016 while starting multiple games as well. A true youth movement was upon Steelers Nation. All three will be starting in 2017 and will be counted on to improve upon their rookie seasons. A true darkhouse is Tyler Matakevich. Although selected in the seventh round, Matakevich provided depth at linebacker. He will certainly be counted upon as a substitute this year at inside linebacker.
2017 – T.J. Watt (Round 1), Cameron Sutton (Round 3), Brian Allen (Round 5), Keion Adams (Round 7), Mike Hilton (Free Agent Signing). Pass rushers and secondary have been a theme over the past few drafts, and this year was no different. Watt appears to have a stranglehold on the starting outside linebacker position opposite Dupree. Cameron Sutton and Brian Allen add depth to a now young and athletic secondary. Additionally, Mike Hilton has generated the most buzz at training camp. An undrafted free agent in 2016, Hilton spent time with the Patriots and Jaguars before signing with the Steelers. Hilton has an excellent shot to make the 53-man roster as the Steelers nickel cornerback.
Williams, Shazier, Tuitt, Dupree, Chickillo, Burns, Davis, Hargrave, Matakevich, Watt, Sutton, Allen and Hilton are all slated to play a significant role on defense in 2017.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent significant draft picks over the past five years. This team will go as far as their defense can take them.
