4 best-kept secrets on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster ahead of training camp

LB Ulysees Gilbert III

Ulysees Gilbert is a player who drew a lot of buzz after a phenomenal rookie preseason in 2019. However, he has been very quiet since then. This is largely due to injuries that have kept him from playing in most games over his first two seasons. In fact, because Gilbert has landed on IR twice, he has dressed for just 11 contests since joining the team as a sixth-round draft choice in 2019.

This could be the year that things finally turn around for Gilbert. The young linebacker has excellent athletic traits that could make him the primary backup as the ‘Mack’ linebacker if Devin Bush were to go down. However, he was known for his innate coverage ability coming out of Akron.

Gilbert showed this in his first two NFL preseasons – capitalizing on passing downs and making plays on the ball. Now finally healthy, Gilbert has a chance to develop into the best coverage linebacker on this team (maybe only outside of Devin Bush, if he puts everything together).

This is a valuable trait – especially considering that most of the linebackers on their roster are not known for their ability in this area. Vince Williams’ recent retirement also opens the door for more snaps at the linebacker position this year. If Gilbert can take a step forward and finally stay healthy, Keith Butler could use him as a nickel linebacker on passing downs.