6 backend roster Steelers to watch during Hall of Fame game

Steelers Ulysees Gilbert

With the recent retirement of Vince Williams, the odds of backup linebacker Ulysees Gilbert making the final roster shot up. With the team likely keeping five bodies here, Gilbert suddenly finds himself on the inside looking out of the roster. Unless the team adds another notable player or one of the deeper backups makes himself uncuttable, Gilbert should safely make the roster.

Given his overall ability, it is frustrating that Gilbert is still even competing for a roster spot. He has great athleticism and flashed some strong defensive play during the preseason of his rookie year. Add in the fact that he was easily one of the top special teams’ players on the roster during the regular season, and Gilbert had a bright future ahead of him. Unfortunately, back injuries cut his rookie season short and derailed last year for him. There is little question about his talent, as he has shown great ability as a player. There are concerns with how healthy he will be able to stay though.

What the Steelers should be looking for is twofold during this offseason. For starters, Gilbert has to stay healthy. If he can’t, the team won’t have a choice but to move on. As well though, he needs to showcase some of the impressive film that he had as a rookie. Quick instincts, solid coverage, and good run reads made him a preseason winner just a few years ago. If he wants to have any chance at making an impact in 2021, he will have to have a similar impact during the preseason.