The Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday announced they signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree.
Here are five things to know about Dupree:
1. Veteran experience
The Bolts are getting one of the most experienced outside linebackers in the league with Dupree.
With nine NFL seasons under his belt, Dupree has played in 119 games during his career, starting 99 of them.
He's tallied 305 total tackles (213 solo) and has had a knack of being around the football with 53.0 career sacks, 70 tackles for loss and 12 forced fumbles.
Dupree surpassed the 4.0-sack mark in eight of his nine seasons, including four season with at least 6.0 sacks.
And even when he's not getting to the quarterback, he's making his presence felt with 208 career hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
2. Former 1st-round pick
Dupree entered the league as a high prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft.
He was the third outside linebacker selected in that year's edition, going No. 22 overall to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh would be where he spent the bulk of his career thus far and played a total of six seasons, logging major snaps for three playoff runs with the team.
Dupree's best year in Pittsburgh would come as in his fifth season, where displayed how dynamic he could be getting after the quarterback.
He would finish the year tied for ninth in the NFL with 11.5 sacks and add on 14 tackles for loss, which led the Steelers in 2019.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree.
Detail view of a crucial catch and social justice sticker for Antwon Rose Jr. on the the helmet of Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) has ball stripped away by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) rushes the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) rushes against Titus Howard (71) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) stands on the sideline in the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) yells after a play against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree (48) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 30, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Titans 17-14. (John McGillen via AP)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) works during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Atlanta. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons tied 13-13. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Green Bay Packers guard Zach Tom (50) recovers the fumble of Green Bay Packers as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) defends Josiah Deguara (81) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 21-19. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 29-10. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
3. Producing in 2023
The 31-year-old outside linebacker comes to Los Angeles after a productive season in Atlanta.
Dupree made his mark for the Falcons in his lone season with the team and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks in 2023 to go along with eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
He also totaled 38 pressures according to PFF, which was his highest total since the 2020 season.
The veteran provided a crucial component to the Atlanta defense and also finished the year with the sixth-most snaps on the defensive side of the ball (724).
4. All-SEC selection
Dupree turned into a first-round pick due in large part to his standout career at Kentucky.
He played valuable reps right away, appearing in 12 games during his true freshman season in 2011 before becoming a full-time starter in 2012.
As a sophomore, he made the most of becoming the starter and notched 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, both good for seventh in the SEC.
Dupree would then make a big jump in 2013, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors after finishing second on the team with 61 tackles and leading the way with 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
And he would go on to save his best for last as a First-Team All-SEC honoree in 2014 as he logged a career-best 9.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss.
5. Former TE prospect
Before Dupree was dominating offensive lines, he actually got his start on that side of the ball.
A graduate of Wilkinson County High School in Georgia, Dupree began his high school football career as a tight end where he would be a four-year starter for the school.
His athletic ability shined on both offense and defense, as he became a three-year starter at defensive end as well.
He culminated his high school career having more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior while also logging 62 tackles and 10 sacks.
Dupree was a three-star prospect at tight end and was recruited to the Wildcats as one before quickly making the switch over to the defensive line.
