The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Bud Dupree, outside linebacker from Kentucky in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Dupree, whose real name is Alvin Dupree, stands at 6’4” and weighs 269 pounds. Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell ranked him as the third outside linebacker in the draft behind, Dante Flower and Vic Beasley.
- Jamie Newberg of the Scout.com website, suggested that Dupree “could turn out to be the steal of the first round.”
Bud Dupree is very athletic, having been recruited by Kentucky to play tight end, and is known for his ability to shift direction rapidly in pursuit of the quarterback, and for his excellent acceleration in turning the corner.
In 2014, Dupree made 74 tackles, recorded 7.5 sacks, and over a dozen 12.5 tackles for a loss for the Wildcats. Dupree also excelled in pre-draft workouts where his forty time was clocked at 4.56 seconds, he posted a vertical jump of 42-inches and a broad jump of 138-inches.
Video Highlights of Bud Dupree
In this day an age, no draft article is complete without video, and though the magic of You Tube, Steel Curtain Rising is happy to present you with them here.
Those are some impressive highlights. Of course Dupree won’t be able to toss NFL offensive lineman around like rag dolls the way he did in college, but the Steelers are in need of a real “butt kicker” to use Jim Wexell’s term, and at least based on those college highlights, Bud Dupree would appear to fit the bill.
How Bud Dupree Fits in with the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert was ecstatic over landing Bud Dupree admitting that Dupree was the best player left on the Steelers draft board, explaining “This is a gift for us to be able to get this guy at 22.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was equally effusive in his praise of Dupree, sharing:
Versatility is something that should be highlighted. He has done a lot for that defense over the course of the last four years. He has been an edge rusher, played in space. He is a versatile and smart athlete. You could characterize him as a football junkie, a football historian.
It is not yet known whether Bud Dupree will play on the strong side or weak side for the Steelers, but he has been described as an ideal SAM linebacker in a 3-4 system, which would put him on the strong side. The position is currently held down by Arthur Moats, although the franchise never looked at him as a full time starter.
In addition to Moats, Bud Dupree will compete with returning veteran James Harrison and 2013’s first round pick Jarvis Jones for playing time at outside linebacker.
While most pre-draft mock had the Steelers taking any number of cornerbacks, Pittsburgh’s need at outside linebacker is just as great, so its no surprise to see the Steelers draft Bud Dupree with their first pick.
Welcome to Steelers Nation Bud Dupree.
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