Ranking the Steelers biggest needs heading into the draft
By Andrew Falce
Inside Linebacker
As stated earlier, this position was being contested with the other two defensive needs. That said, inside linebacker won out due to the lack of depth here and the loss of leadership. The team allowed Avery Williamson to test free agency and later cut Vince Williams. This has resulted in the position going from extremely deep to rather shallow.
The starters are set, as a returning Devin Bush and Robert Spillane should see the majority of snaps here. Behind them is Marcus Allen, a converted safety, and not much else worth noting. The same could be said for an edge, as the two starters are there with next to no depth behind them. With inside linebacker though, Spillane has more question marks than Alex Highsmith, which vaults this position above edge.
In all honesty, considering the youth here, adding a veteran would be better than a rookie. The team has youth here, but what it needs is a grizzled veteran presence. In all honesty, bringing back either Williams or Williamson would be the best-case scenario for the team. Until then, this position brings up the rear in terms of importance due to some of the question marks with Spillane.