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Typically when the Pittsburgh Steelers select a player, fans understand that player was likely going to sit and learn for at least one season before seeing any significant playing time. But in the 2013 NFL draft, the Steelers selected Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones, and with that have broken from their philosophy to a large degree.
Of course, the reason the Steelers have always been in a position to be able to draft depth and allow that depth to develop is that the front office has always done a good job with the draft and with player contracts. But the past two seasons things have changed. Some bad contracts have caused players to leave via free agency, and some questionable draft choices have left the cupboard more than a little bare in terms of young talent.
So the addition of Jones is new. This is a first round pick that will likely see significant reps as a rookie. The outside linebacker position is thin at best. Starting linebacker LaMarr Woodley is coming off a very average season, and the other starting spot currently has Jason Worilds’ name penciled in. And that’s it.
The 3-4 defense requires great play from its outside linebackers and Jones is going to give them that. There’s no way head coach Mike Tomlin can sit Jones and go with the incumbents full time. He simply doesn’t have that luxury, and Jones is just too talented to let sit when he could be out there making plays.
Will Jones start? I’d guess that short of an injury it would have to be a no. But as part of a 3-man rotation Jones could see ¼ of the total snaps in particular on passing downs from the very beginning of the season. Of course, it means that the defense will have to deal with some of the mistakes that every rookie makes, but make no mistake, the Steelers got a special player in Jones and they need to use him right away.
Curt covers the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL draft and college football for Rant Sports. Connect with Curt on Twitter @nfldraftboard.
