Dupree

[NorthCoast]

If you are a bouchette follower, he doesn't believe the Steelers will pick up Dupree's option year.
(not that Bouchette ever has any great insights ...)

[Ghost]

Here are some stats from the Post-Gazette from 1/31:

"Dupree had eight games where he recorded one or fewer solo tackles. Fewer than one would be none, which happened against Jacksonville (regular season) and Cleveland. Digest that for a moment.

Dupree had no forced fumbles (one in his 38-game career). He had six sacks. He rarely beat a tackle one-on-one. He remained invisible for long stretches, notably both Jacksonville games, in which he totaled four tackles, zero quarterback hits and nary a big play. I’m not sure Dupree made contact with an offensive player in the season finale against the Browns (no tackles, no assists, no actual proof that he suited up)."


I mean...sh!t... He's awful. As for the whole" he drops into coverage" argument - OK fine, but what plays is he making there? 1 forced fumble in 3 seasons and NOT ONE DAMN INTERCEPTION. He never makes a big play EVER. Might as well have 10 players on the field he adds so little. The Steelers drafted a guy in Rd 1 to drop into the short zone??? What a colossal waste. He might be the most easily replaceable player on the entire D.

Outside Jesus reaching down from heaven this offseason and blessing him with some until now unforeseen talent; this will be one of the bigger 1st round busts they've had.

[Slapstick]

I also strongly doubt that the Steelers will exercise Dupree’s 5th year option.

[Buzz]

I also strongly doubt that the Steelers will exercise Dupree’s 5th year option.

This coming season will only be his 4th, no?

[RuthlessBurgher]

This coming season will only be his 4th, no?

Yes, but teams must declare whether or not they intend to pick up that 5th year option during the offseason between years 3 & 4.

For instance, we declared that we intended to pick up the 5th year option on Ryan Shazier last offseason before the start of his 4th year.

So now we owe him $8.7M next season even if he only ever shows up at Heinz in a luxury box rather than on the field.

[Northern_Blitz]

Here are some stats from the Post-Gazette from 1/31:

"Dupree had eight games where he recorded one or fewer solo tackles. Fewer than one would be none, which happened against Jacksonville (regular season) and Cleveland. Digest that for a moment.

Dupree had no forced fumbles (one in his 38-game career). He had six sacks. He rarely beat a tackle one-on-one. He remained invisible for long stretches, notably both Jacksonville games, in which he totaled four tackles, zero quarterback hits and nary a big play. I’m not sure Dupree made contact with an offensive player in the season finale against the Browns (no tackles, no assists, no actual proof that he suited up)."


I mean...sh!t... He's awful. As for the whole" he drops into coverage" argument - OK fine, but what plays is he making there? 1 forced fumble in 3 seasons and NOT ONE DAMN INTERCEPTION. He never makes a big play EVER. Might as well have 10 players on the field he adds so little. The Steelers drafted a guy in Rd 1 to drop into the short zone??? What a colossal waste. He might be the most easily replaceable player on the entire D.

Outside Jesus reaching down from heaven this offseason and blessing him with some until now unforeseen talent; this will be one of the bigger 1st round busts they've had.

I'm generally in favor of exercising the option because it gives the Steelers more options in the future. In particular, the option gives them protection against: (1) him being good next year and then leaving OR (2) them having more time to draft and groom an heir. With the Shazier injury, I think that we especially need protection for (2). As long as he's not injured we can cut him anyway. All it would cost is a potential comp pick...and if he's not good enough to keep, he probably won't earn enough for the comp to be more than a 6th - 7th rounder.

But with what you present here, I won't be broken up if they don't exercise the option. The being said, the number of games with 1 or fewer solo tackles seems like a bit of a random stat.

For context, I've also added some stats to other current and former seasons of Steelers D.

OLB
Bud: 6 sacks, 31 tkls, 9 assists, (2 games with 0 solo tackles & 8 with 1 or fewer solo tackles)
Watt: 7 sacks, 39 tkls, 13 assists (4 & 6)
Jones (2016): 1, 30, 13 (3 & 5)
Harrison (2016): 5, 39, 14 (1 & 5)

DE
Heyward: 12 sacks, 30 tkls, 15 assists (1 & 6)
Tuitt: 3 sacks, 19 tkls, 6 assists (1 & 6)