Roster Breakdown: Analyzing Steelers inside linebackers

Here is a look at the Steelers inside linebackers and where they fit with the roster picture. This has always been a position that they have valued.

Steelers Locks to make the Roster

Devin Bush is generating a buzz this offseason. The Michigan product has good linebacker skills and has athleticism that showed up in his combine performance. Although I was not impressed with his coverage on tape, I think his 4.4 range speed is an indication that he can develop in this area. He will be asked to play that Mack Linebacker role and we know from the Ryan Shazier days how important that is.

Vince Williams will be the Steelers thumper and he has done well in that role. He has even made it to the Pro Bowl playing that role. Although I don’t value buck linebackers as much as Mack linebackers, Buck Linebackers still play a key role in stopping the run. Williams also has an ability to help with the blitz and so that piece should not be discounted. With his contract, leadership and age, I see him as the Buck Linebacker for the next three years.

Mark Barron was signed to a decent contract this offseason and it is nice to see the Steelers add some pieces in free agency. I do think the Steelers overpaid for Barron as he didn’t come off a great season in 2018. The Steelers signed Mark Barron to a two-year, 12 million dollar contract. The role that I see for him is as a dime linebacker. I think he would be best suited coming in on the dime to replace Vince Williams. It is hard to project his role, but that is the best case scenario for a six million dollar a year player. There is also some talk that Marcus Allen might be in the mix for the dime role.

On the Inside Looking Out

Tyler Matakevich is a nice player to have on your roster because he is a special teams demon. He also can be that thumper when called upon. His downside is that he isn’t very athletic and although he has played the Mack Linebacker position, he isn’t well suited for it. There was some talk that he could have been the Mack Linebacker going into 2018, but there is a reason that Jon Bostic won the job. If Tyler Matakevich can continue to play special teams, he will be on the Steelers in 2019.

On the Bubble

Ulysses Gilbert III was a sixth round pick by the Steelers. What I like about his game is his man coverage skills. This is especially important to playing linebacker in today’s NFL. Tommy Jaggi wrote about how coverage is more important than tackling to the Steeler’s success.  I think if he can play special teams, then he will be on the team in 2019.

Sutton Smith was an impressive pass rusher at Northern Illinois. His hand use as a pass rusher could translate him into being a good special teams player as well. He will be asked to rush the passer less in the Steelers defense as they are looking at him as an inside linebacker because of his size. He could develop into a versatile backup with the ability to play inside linebacker, outside linebacker and fullback. He has already generated buzz for playing fullback in OTAs.

Battling for the Practice Squad

Tegray Scales is a name that has stayed in the league surprisingly. He is slow to react to the play and his linebacker instincts are worrisome. He also takes bad angles when tackling. He does have an ability to play the Mack Linebacker role as he is average in coverage. He has a good delayed blitz which is a reason he is a fit in the Steelers scheme. He also has good vision as a linebacker.

Robert Spillane was with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 after being signed as an undrafted free agent. He did flash at Western Michigan in a number of areas including blitzing, man coverage and run stuffing. His two interceptions in his highlights are what stood out to me about his game. He did appear in two games in 2018 although he didn’t rack up any stats.