PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio
State linebacker Ryan Shazier with the 15th overall pick in the NFL
draft Thursday night.
The 6-foot-1, 237-pound Shazier moved around
for the Buckeyes but will play inside linebacker in the NFL. The
Steelers are looking for a starter next to Lawrence Timmons after
releasing veteran Larry Foote.
Shazier was a two-time All-Big Ten
selection for the Buckeyes and was a first-team All-American and a
finalist for the Butkus Award during his senior year in 2013.
"What we needed was a defensive playmaker and he fits the bill in that regard," Steelers coach
Mike Tomlin said.
This
is the second straight year Pittsburgh has taken a linebacker in the
first round. Jarvis Jones finished with one sack but improved as the
season went along last fall.
Tomlin said Shazier’s quickness
played a major factor in the decision. Though he didn’t run the 40-yard
dash at the NFL combine, the Steelers said Shazier posted a time of 4.40
seconds.
"He’s a guy that is capable of being on his feet, making
sideline to sideline," Tomlin said. "He’s got no holes. He’s a football
lover."
The Steelers have depth issues at cornerback and wide
receiver but instead chose to take a player who is only one of five
Buckeyes to lead the team in tackles in consecutive seasons.
"This
guy can flat out run," general manager Kevin Colbert said. "The thing
that really attracts me to him from a defensive standpoint … we need
speed. You need speed at your linebackers, need speed in your secondary,
you need speed everywhere."
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