Steelers make tough decision in 2014 NFL redraft by passing on Ryan Shazier

There are few former Pittsburgh Steelers more beloved than linebacker Ryan Shazier. A big part of that was because Shazier's stellar career was cut short after just four seasons. Shazier suffered a neck injury at the end of the 2017 season that ended his career on a trajectory that would have made him one of the all-time greats.

Pro Football Focus put together a redraft for the 2014 NFL draft, and when the Steelers went on the clock, they had to decide if getting four years of Shazier was worth the pick or if the Steelers would go another direction.

In this scenario, based strictly on PFF grades, the pick went from Shazier to defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick that season but never played like one. The Steelers needed an edge rusher but Clowney didn't really fit what the Steelers look for as an edge defender.

In this scenario, if the Steelers do pass on Shazier, the pick for us would be edge defender Shaq Barrett, who fits the Steelers' defense much better. But in the big picture, with the notion of the future, it would be tough to pass on offensive tackle Taylor Lewan.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers make tough decision in 2014 NFL redraft by passing on Ryan Shazier