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AFC North: Players in danger of reaching ‘bust’ status

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Breshad Perriman #18 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Breshad Perriman #18 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a first quarter touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 24: Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes against Bobby Massie #70 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Steelers 23-17 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 24: Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes against Bobby Massie #70 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Steelers 23-17 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: Bud Dupree, OLB

Of the players on this list, Dupree has been the best.

Entering his fourth season with the Steelers, though, he has only 14.5 sacks to his name and has not been consistent as a pass rusher or edge setter.

The Steelers picked up Dupree’s fifth-year option, which was somewhat of a shocking move, and moved him to the right side of their defensive formation in hopes that rushing a quarterback’s blind side can help increase his productivity.

Dupree was third on the Steelers’ defense last year in total snaps played, so it’s not like the Steelers have been unable to get him on the field.

Instead of injuries slowing him down, the Steelers have just been unable to find the most effective ways of getting Dupree to the quarterback.

It’s on him in year four to have a true breakout season after setting a career mark with six sacks last year.

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