5 bold Pittsburgh Steelers training camp predictions in 2020

Jordan Dangerfield will assume Mark Barron’s old role as a sub-package linebacker

In their base 3-4 defense, there’s no question that Devin Bush and Vince Williams will be on the field together. However, somebody is going to be asked to fill Mark Barron’s shoes as the sub-package linebacker this year, and it’s not going to be Williams.

Though Vince is a solid run defender and plus blitzer from the linebacker position, he’s been a liability in coverage. As a result, he played just 37 percent of defensive snaps for the team last year. On the contrary, Barron played 69 percent of snaps, according to Pro Football Reference.

While many experts are pointing towards second-year linebacker, Ulysees Gilbert, to take on that role, it’s important to remember that he dressed for just 7 games last year and that he has yet to see a single defensive snap in the regular season. Because of this, Pittsburgh could look to a more experienced player in Jordan Dangerfield.

While Dangerfield might be a box safety, so were both former Steelers Mark Barron and Morgan Burnett earlier in their careers. However, both players ended up playing the sub-package linebacker or ‘dime backer’ role in Pittsburgh. With Dangerfield’s experience with the playbook, he could be ready to do the same.

While it’s possible that these bold predictions won’t come to fruition, don’t be surprised if they end up happening this year. Training camp is a time for sorting things out. Perhaps we will see these players in new roles in 2020.