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Pittsburgh Steelers: Finding diamonds at linebacker

By Tyler Weimerskirch

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 29: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 29, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 39-30. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 29: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a football game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 29, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 39-30. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 11: Brandon Tate #15 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jordan Dangerfield #37 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at New Era Field on December 11, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 11: Brandon Tate #15 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by Tyler Matakevich #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jordan Dangerfield #37 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at New Era Field on December 11, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Tyler Matakevich

Let’s start with a player that could be a key contributor that no one is talking about going into this season. In a world of analytics, Tyler Matakevich went under the radar for most people in the draft falling all the way to the 7th round. Matakevich was not a person that combine or physical numbers that jumped out at you, with a 40 timed in at 4.8 and is only 6ft tall, Matakevich looked to be slow and small, not what you want in the NFL.

The thing that does jump off at you is his game speed and his fundamentals. Matakevich was a tackling machine in college, and it jumped into his first year. Only playing a few snaps on Defense last season he was impressive with eight tackles in one game vs Miami.

With Lawrence Timmons gone in FA, and Vice Willaims assuming the starting role with Shazier, Matakevich is going to be the 3rd guy in the rotation and is showing some great value for a 7th round pick. I think he steps up in this role this up coming season and is a solid contributor. Ryan Shazier in 3 seasons has not started more than 13 games. Matakevich will be the next man up, and I feel he has the ability to take on the role in a spot start capacity for the Steelers.

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