Let the Ray vs Dupree comparisons begin...

[Shawn]

When Dupree was sitting there at 22, I knew Dupree was the pick. I don't think many thought he would be there. I have mixed feelings about the pick. I was indeed concerned about Ray's toe...very concerned. But, minus the toe and the weed...Ray may have been the best 3-4 OLB prospect in the draft. If he can stay healthy and away from the bong...he is going to be a real good one. But, I suspect that toe comes back to haunt him.

Dupree, I tried not having a melt down by consoling myself with his measureables. I'm doing my best to ignore how soft he looks on tape...how there's a lack of pop to his game I'm doing my best to believe this isn't another guy who is fast in shorts but plays like a 4th rounder on tape. He's our guy, and I will support him as a Steeler...gotta hope the FO knows what they are doing with this one.

[phillyesq]

Part of the draft is managing risk. Bell is going to miss three games this year. Dion Jordan is going to miss an entire year. On tape, yeah, I like Ray better. But given his boneheaded decision, I'm perfectly fine with Dupree, who does not have any character flags.

[Shawn]

Part of the draft is managing risk. Bell is going to miss three games this year. Dion Jordan is going to miss an entire year. On tape, yeah, I like Ray better. But given his boneheaded decision, I'm perfectly fine with Dupree, who does not have any character flags.

I hear you. I mean I'm not weeping...and I assume the scouts are seeing something I don't. I read the draft write ups on Dupree and it's like we are watching different players. NFL.com wrote rag dolls TEs at will. Wha? Show me that tape I must have missed it. I must admit a guy who is 270 and can run like Clowney...that impresses me. But, I think he is a project and will take time much in the line of Shazier. Both had serious deficiencies on tape but have athleticism you can't teach. That seems to be the m.o. of the f.o. as of late.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Ray won't be counted on to need to start right away with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware as the starters in Denver, but he'll replace Ware once he hangs 'em up. It likely won't be a situation like a year ago where the guy we didn't take (Mosley) is a Rookie of the Year Pro Bowl type for you to harp on all year.

[Captain Lemming]

When Dupree was sitting there at 22, I knew Dupree was the pick. I don't think many thought he would be there. I have mixed feelings about the pick. I was indeed concerned about Ray's toe...very concerned. But, minus the toe and the weed...Ray may have been the best 3-4 OLB prospect in the draft. If he can stay healthy and away from the bong...he is going to be a real good one. But, I suspect that toe comes back to haunt him.

Dupree, I tried not having a melt down by consoling myself with his measureables. I'm doing my best to ignore how soft he looks on tape...how there's a lack of pop to his game I'm doing my best to believe this isn't another guy who is fast in shorts but plays like a 4th rounder on tape. He's our guy, and I will support him as a Steeler...gotta hope the FO knows what they are doing with this one.

insane workout, modest sack numbers in college?
Jevon Kearse

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I had Beasley & Dupree rated as 1 & 2 as "Steeler OLB". There was lots of tape of those 2 doing what the Steelers will ask them to. Fowler, Gregory, & Ray are good players but I thought Beasley & Dupree fit better. Now...I thought Beasley was a ROLB so I'm ecstatic we got Dupree. Dupree is Tech Raw but he has the athleticism to be a premier 3-4 OLB. When he learns to use his hands better...There may be no better LOLB in this league. He has a first step as good as anyone at the top of this draft & that doesn't sit well for a RT. The Best OLB in space & coverage out of this whole group.

I know people like Ray but Ray is too slender in the lower half to anchor at the next level which doesn't sit well as a LOLB. He will need time in the weight room to develop it but his frame is slender & you get concerns when you see that & what will happen to his agility with the added bulk. Dupree is already there (270) & shows the explosion. Add in the bonehead move at draft time by Ray...Easy to pass imo.

[Shawn]

Ray won't be counted on to need to start right away with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware as the starters in Denver, but he'll replace Ware once he hangs 'em up. It likely won't be a situation like a year ago where the guy we didn't take (Mosley) is a Rookie of the Year Pro Bowl type for you to harp on all year.

I think you will survive if I do.

[Shawn]

insane workout, modest sack numbers in college?
Jevon Kearse

to every Kearse you can name I'm sure I can come up with 20 who posted insane combine numbers and amounted to nothing. I get why the Steelers made the Dupree pick...great measureables, no red flags, flashes of brilliance on tape. If I was sitting there I would have grabbed the better player now...and that's Ray. Like JPN said, Dupree could be the best of the group when all is said and done. Same can be said, for Shazier in time...maybe. It is what it is...the Steelers could have done worse.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Here's the thing that may pi$$ us all off in a couple years. If JJ doesn't turn out to be what they hoped he would be...Ray could have been the guy at ROLB. Lets hope we don't have to have that conversation.

We HAVE the investment at ROLB...So I could see why they leaned towards Dupree this year. Take JJ off this roster with Dupree & Ray on the Board...Interesting. Dupree could play both sides but I think Ray is further along from a tech standpoint where you may see him as a plug & play at ROLB.

[Slapstick]

to every Kearse you can name I'm sure I can come up with 20 who posted insane combine numbers and amounted to nothing. I get why the Steelers made the Dupree pick...great measureables, no red flags, flashes of brilliance on tape. If I was sitting there I would have grabbed the better player now...and that's Ray. Like JPN said, Dupree could be the best of the group when all is said and done. Same can be said, for Shazier in time...maybe. It is what it is...the Steelers could have done worse.

The Steelers view the draft as a long-term investment. Therefore, they take the player that they think will be better when all is said and done. They have been a hugely successful franchise with that philosophy.

[Slapstick]

Here's the thing that may pi$$ us all off in a couple years. If JJ doesn't turn out to be what they hoped he would be...Ray could have been the guy at ROLB. Lets hope we don't have to have that conversation.

We would still need an LOLB. If JJ doesn't pan out but Dupree does, you're short one OLB. Either way, you have an issue.

[feltdizz]

The Steelers view the draft as a long-term investment. Therefore, they take the player that they think will be better when all is said and done. They have been a hugely successful franchise with that philosophy.

true.. but is that philosophy going to work with the new CBA?

These next 2 or 3 years will be interesting.

[Shawn]

The Steelers view the draft as a long-term investment. Therefore, they take the player that they think will be better when all is said and done. They have been a hugely successful franchise with that philosophy.

I don't disagree. And for me this draft was less clear. Ray had huge risks just not as a football player. Dupree has risks based on his tape. I'm all about risk assessment and grabbing a guy who has less bust potential. The Steelers as of late have been swinging for the fences. I guess that would be a difference in philosophy. I like safe picks. Not sure a safe pick was sitting there at 22. So, I'm ok with Dupree...certainly not going to lose sleep.

[steelblood]

I don't disagree. And for me this draft was less clear. Ray had huge risks just not as a football player. Dupree has risks based on his tape. I'm all about risk assessment and grabbing a guy who has less bust potential. The Steelers as of late have been swinging for the fences. I guess that would be a difference in philosophy. I like safe picks. Not sure a safe pick was sitting there at 22. So, I'm ok with Dupree...certainly not going to lose sleep.

Ray is certainly a more polished pass rusher. But, some teams ran right at and over him. He is not stout against NFL caliber linemen, not even close. He has holes in his game.

What worries me about Dupree is information overload. From what I've read and seen, he hesitates when he tries to diagnose. We need to keep his role simple. Set the edge, rush the passer. That is all. Let him work on refining his technique and keep assignments simple. Give him a chance to succeed.

In the two games I watched Dupree play, he was a tackling machine. He was sloppy, spotty as a pass rusher, and sometimes hesitated to diagnose, but he was productive. His tackle numbers are good overall. His sack numbers are completely acceptable for a guy who covers a bit and plays on a bad team (many SEC teams were running more on them in the second half).

I am cautiously optimistic. He loves football and is a good tackler. He has an aggressive streak. He needs to learn technique and to trust his reads. This seems very doable given the raw materials to work with.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I can't complain. Much like last year - they addressed a position of need with a guy that all the scouts rated in the neighborhood. It's not like a reach or anything.

A smart GM takes Dupree. And they did... I was hoping for Ray instead of Dupree. But, guess who I'm rooting for to have the better career... The ones PRESENTLY in black in gold!!

Nice pick, Cowa... uhh... Tomlin!!