Steelers 2015 Unsigned Free Agents: LB Arthur Moats

Arthur Moats was signed last spring to be a backup in the linebacking corps because of his versatility to play both left and right. When Jarvis Jones went down with a dislocated wrist, Moats moved into the starting position but was eventually replaced by a charging James Harrison.

Moats is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10^th if the Steelers decide not to extend him. Just because Moats was replaced by Harrison in the starting role doesn’t necessarily mean he performed badly for the team. He was fourth on the team with four sacks; he had seven quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Moats was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills out of James Madison University. He played for the Bills until the end of his rookie contract.

If the Steelers defense is set to return to the days of linebackers terrorizing quarterbacks across the league, they certainly don’t want to have to start over with a whole new crop of linebackers. Moats is only 26, although he’s got one of those faces that makes him look way older. I bet he never got carded in his life.

Moats still provides versatility and depth to the Steelers linebacking corps that is definitely needed in times of transition. Hopefully, the Steelers will be able to have a healthy Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier going forward so Moats can definitely provide the depth any linebacking group needs.

We might need to go on the premise that the Steelers aren’t going to have James Harrison but will have Jason Worilds in 2015. If that’s the case, they can add another linebacker to go along with Moats as backup either via the draft or free agency. I’m inclined to think they just can’t help themselves when it comes to drafting linebackers anyway.

The Steelers signed Moats to a one-year, $795,000 contract last March so it’s not like he’s going to come with a huge price tag to keep for at least another year. I think Moats would definitely be a low-risk signing for the Steelers to provide depth, stability, and versatility to a linebacking corps that is clearly in transition but doesn’t have the time to have a slow transition. This is a defense that needs to pick up the pace so that the Steelers as a whole can capitalize off of the offense they have at this point.

What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you think the Steelers should re-sign linebacker Arthur Moats?

Next: Steelers Free Agency Tracker: Charles Clay

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