5 Pittsburgh Steelers Who Need To Have Bounce-Back 2015 Seasons

5 Pittsburgh Steelers Who Need To Have Bounce-Back 2015 Seasons

By Daniel Johnson

July 22, 2015

5 Steelers Who Need To Have Bounce-Back 2015 Seasons

Steelers Nation Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field — With training camp kicking off on Saturday, there are a handful of players who need bounce-back campaigns this season. These are five players looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing 2014 with a successful 2015 season.

With training camp kicking off on Saturday, there are a handful of players who need bounce-back campaigns this season. These are five players looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing 2014 with a successful 2015 season.

5. Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jones

5. Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jones — At the beginning of last season, Jones was displaying why he was a first-round draft pick back in 2013. However, an injury to his wrist while sacking Cam Newton caused irreparable damage to his breakout season. Now as the full-time starter at the right outside linebacker position, I expect a good season for Jones. Out of all of the players on the list, Jones is the one who should have the best season.

At the beginning of last season, Jones was displaying why he was a first-round draft pick back in 2013. However, an injury to his wrist while sacking Cam Newton caused irreparable damage to his breakout season. Now as the full-time starter at the right outside linebacker position, I expect a good season for Jones. Out of all of the players on the list, Jones is the one who should have the best season.

4. DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams Pittsburgh Steelers Should Retire

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4. DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams Pittsburgh Steelers Should Retire — The biggest issue for Pittsburgh's offense last season was their lack of running back depth. This was evident in the playoff loss against the Ravens without their running back, Le'Veon Bell. Like Jones, Williams is coming off an injury-plagued season. Still, he averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry with only five receptions for 44 yards. As the second back in Pittsburgh, he can still be productive with about 180-200 total touches.

The biggest issue for Pittsburgh's offense last season was their lack of running back depth. This was evident in the playoff loss against the Ravens without their running back, Le'Veon Bell. Like Jones, Williams is coming off an injury-plagued season. Still, he averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry with only five receptions for 44 yards. As the second back in Pittsburgh, he can still be productive with about 180-200 total touches.

3. Ryan Shazier

Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Minicamp

3. Ryan Shazier

Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Minicamp — Like another former first-round linebacker picked by Pittsburgh, Shazier suffered a serious injury against the Carolina Panthers that derailed his rookie season. Unlike Jones though, he did not show as much potential as his first-round counterpart. Shazier is the favorite to win the full-time starting left middle linebacking position, and like Jones, I expect him to have a bounce-back season.

Like another former first-round linebacker picked by Pittsburgh, Shazier suffered a serious injury against the Carolina Panthers that derailed his rookie season. Unlike Jones though, he did not show as much potential as his first-round counterpart. Shazier is the favorite to win the full-time starting left middle linebacking position, and like Jones, I expect him to have a bounce-back season.

2. Mike Mitchell

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Mike Mitchell

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers — Last offseason, Pittsburgh signed Mitchell to a five-year contract. He responded by having a very disappointing 2014 campaign. To be fair, Mitchell's first season saw him deal with injuries and inexperience in the secondary. Still, the six-year veteran did not do much to help. I hope Mitchell falls in the same category as his predecessor, Ryan Clark, who was also a free agent pickup who became a Steelers' legend.

Last offseason, Pittsburgh signed Mitchell to a five-year contract. He responded by having a very disappointing 2014 campaign. To be fair, Mitchell's first season saw him deal with injuries and inexperience in the secondary. Still, the six-year veteran did not do much to help. I hope Mitchell falls in the same category as his predecessor, Ryan Clark, who was also a free agent pickup who became a Steelers' legend.

1. Cortez Allen

Pittsburgh Steelers-Cortez Allen vs Colts

1. Cortez Allen

Pittsburgh Steelers-Cortez Allen vs Colts — Cortez Allen had two interceptions and one fumble recovery last season. Those are all the positives he had on the defensive side of the ball. When he replaced the injured Ike Taylor, there was a polar difference in productivity between the players. He was eventually benched in favor of Brian McCain in mid-October. Now he has to prove he can be the starting left cornerback or lose his starting spot to second-round pick Senquez Golson.

Cortez Allen had two interceptions and one fumble recovery last season. Those are all the positives he had on the defensive side of the ball. When he replaced the injured Ike Taylor, there was a polar difference in productivity between the players. He was eventually benched in favor of Brian McCain in mid-October. Now he has to prove he can be the starting left cornerback or lose his starting spot to second-round pick Senquez Golson.

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