3 Steelers on the roster bubble after the NFL Draft
By Tommy Jaggi
The NFL Draft makes for a great weekend for hardcore football fans – a three day event of important draft selections that could change the outlook of your team. For hours on end, I sit in front of the television and watch as the players I like (and some that I don’t) are drafted to teams around the league.
Yes, it’s a great day for us and organizations around the league. Unfortunately though, not everyone loves the NFL Draft. Players near the bottom of NFL rosters around the league must dread that weekend in April every year. It’s a three day horror movie where their jobs are no longer safe, and at any moment, a replacement could be drafted for them.
Here are three Steelers in jeopardy of making the Pittsburgh’s roster after the NFL draft:
ILB Tyler Matakevich
I love Dirty Red as much as the next guy, but it’s not looking good for the former Temple standout. The Steelers took not one, not two, but three linebackers in this years’ draft!
Unfortunately for Matakevich, he barely got a chance to run with the starting unit in 2018 – despite major struggles from Jon Bostic and Vince Williams in coverage. Matakevich has made his living on special teams. He will have to be better than ever in that department if he wants to stick around in Pittsburgh.
CB Artie Burns
The former first round pick virtually fell off a cliff last season as he struggled mightily in his limited game action. Burns has clearly fallen out of favor with the Steelers, as they officially decided not to pick up his 5th year option.
The Steelers spent a pretty high pick on Justin Layne in the draft, as well as good money on former Chiefs CB, Steven Nelson. Burns is far from a lock to make the roster, and will have to work his butt off to stay with the organization this year.
Jerald Hawkins
Hawkins was a former 4th round pick from 2016. However, the tackle out of LSU has barely been healthy enough to practice and has suited up for just two career games in three years.
The Steelers aren’t going to put up with that any longer, as they drafted Derwin Gray to nip at his heals. There is potentially one reserve offensive lineman spot up for grabs. Hawkins will have to be both healthy and good if he wants a chance to secure it.