After the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted outside linebacker Bud Dupree in the first round of this year's draft, it looked like he'd be on the fast track to start. Not only did the Steelers need his pass-rushing assistance, given that the defense totaled only 33 sacks last year, but Dupree also seemed like a quick study early on.
Dupree worked with the first-team defense during June's OTAs and told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "Everything is starting to click. [My goal is] to show them I know the plays and show them they can trust me."
Fowler also pegged Dupree to be a rookie-year starter later that month, writing the following:
He’s a bit raw, but his experience at Kentucky allowed him to rush the passer and backpedal in pass coverage, which should help him acclimate to coordinator Keith Butler’s system.