Lance Zierlein, who writes all of the draft profiles this year for NFL.com, released his first mock draft of 2015 on Wednesday and he has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Kentucky outside linebacker Alvin Dupree with the 22nd overall pick.
Zierlein writes:
His outstanding combine could very well pull him off the board well before this slot, but if he’s still available, his dynamic athleticism would be a huge get and great fit.
Zierlein, as many of you should know, is the son of Arizona Cardinals assistant offensive line coach Larry Zierlein, who was once the Steelers offensive line coach from 2007-09. He has a very good understanding of the Steelers organization and his scouting reports on players are generally right on the money.
Opinions of Dupree seem to be all over the place, currently, but it is beginning to look like there’s a good chance that he will still be on the board when the Steelers pick in the first round. At the combine Dupree measured in at 6’4″, 269 pounds with 32 5/8″ arms. He ran a 4.56 second 40-yard-dash with a 1.60 second 10-yard split and he also posted a 42″ vertical jump to go along with an 11’6″ broad jump.
In his final two years at Kentucky, Dupree had 135 total tackles and 14.5 sacks. He also totaled four forced fumbles during that span and intercepted one pass.
Dupree is Zierlein’s fifth outside linebacker prospect to be drafted in his mock behind Dante Fowler Jr., Shane Ray, Randy Gregory and Vic Beasley.
Zierlein also has three cornerbacks being drafted ahead of the Steelers pick as Trae Waynes, Jalen Collins and Kevin Johnson were all selected by pick No. 20.
