A collective groan was heard across Pittsburgh when the Steelers selected a running back out of Michigan State instead of the Alabama bruiser Eddie Lacy in the 2013 NFL Draft. Two years later, Le’veon Bell has shown his critics where they belong: beneath him.
As OTAs continue along, its always nice to see the players giddy about being back on the football field. From the rookies to the vets, a smile was evident on all their faces.
Yet, the pressure is still there. The expectation stemming from a fan base spoiled by six superbowls is a heavy burden.
No other group on the team has more weight on their shoulders than the 2013 Draft Class. Bell is the first and only player from his class to have a breakout season. The guys that are left from that draft day all have potential to perform at a high level.
Markus Wheaton is the next player closest to a breakout season. While some may argue that this past season showed us his limits, I believe he hasn’t even revealed to us what type of potential he possesses. The third round pick is going to compete with 2014 fourth round pick Martavis Bryant for the spot opposite Antonio Brown. His home will likely be found in the slot, where he’ll strive into his own.
Vince Williams is breathing down Lawrence Timmons’ neck as he gets better and better. The sixth round pick was a longshot to make the roster, but as he did, the nods to start in place of an injured Larry Foote in 2013 were signaled to him.
Of course, as with any rookie, he struggled mightily in that spot. Constantly out of position and looking really lost, it was obvious he needed some more time for his skills to come to fruition.
By 2014, he started in place of the injured Ryan Shazier in rotation with Sean Spence. He performed much better, showing off some jarring hits that proved vital when the team went on a late season run.
If he continues along nicely, we could see him eventually be Timmons’ successor at the buck linebacker spot.
Shamarko Thomas has to step up. With a gaping hole at strong safety, he has no time to lollygag. Troy Polamalu has set the mold to which every safety there after will strive to fill.
Shamarko has a skill set similar to the future Hall of Famer. Both are fast, hard hitters who aren’t that tall. Not only that, they both share a relentless drive that does most of the talking for them.
Its Thomas’ job to lose, so he has to keep his head up and continue to move forward.
Though he showed promise at the beginning of the 2014 season before a major setback by injury, Jarvis Jones has not lived up to his 1st round status.
He really needs to bulk up and add some more muscle so he won’t get manhandled by offensive lineman. He’ll be in competition mostly with James Harrison, Arthur Moats, and rookie Bud Dupree.
The situation at outside linebacker is starting to look up as quality depth has been added there. Jarvis will have to show he belongs with the mean boys to jump to that next level.
Last but not least, Landry Jones is just another arm at camp. Though he poses no type of threat to Bruce Gradkowski’s number two spot, he’ll have to hone his craft to prevent newly signed QB Tajh Boyd from taking his spot.
This is likely a make it or break it year for Landry. He has not impressed anyone by any means, so maybe this competition with Boyd will be just what he needs to surpass the plateau he’s currently stuck on.
Whatever their situation is, each player listed has a challenge they must overcome. Its up to them to man up and grab it by the horns.
Info courtesy of Steelers.com and NFL.com
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[…] writer Carlos has a piece up on the 2013 Draft Class. He nails it on Landry Jones. Whether Tajh Boyd beats him out or not doesn’t really matter. […]