The information to begin examining training camp battles is here now that the rosters are set. You can also see what positions the Pittsburgh Steelers may want to upgrade this year. We will look through the Steelers roster and see who will make the team. Also, we will see where they stand in terms of playing time for the 2016 season and beyond. Reasons to hold on to these lower-end players vary. Some may be able to make a future impact as players come and go via free agency. This edition will look at inside linebackers. The Steelers should look to carry five inside linebackers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Inside Linebacker Depth Chart Projections
Left Inside Linebacker
Ryan Shazier: For Shazier, this is an important year. He has taken steps into becoming an elite linebacker when healthy. In his first two seasons he has missed 11 starts, however. He is undersized for an inside linebacker, and most of his ailments come from playing in the box. If the Steelers can get a full season out of the third year first-round pick, the growth of the entire unit should put the Steelers back into familiar territory.
Steven Johnson: Johnson should have a great chance of making the team, despite signing a one year deal this off-season. Johnson has four years of NFL experience. While he only started seven games he was a priority to the Steelers this off-season. It is because of his play on special teams. The Steelers lost Terence Garvin this year and will look to get replacement special teams play from Johnson.
Right Inside Linebacker
Lawrence Timmons: Many questioned what the Steelers would do with Timmons this year. He has a $15.1 million cap hit and an $8.7 million base salary due to past restructures. Currently he is the highest paid inside linebacker in the NFL. While Timmons is consistent, he is not the best linebacker in the NFL. Still, the Steelers decided to eat the money and give it to Timmons as a lifetime achievement type award. Timmons hasn’t missed a start in five years. He missed three games in the last seven years. Over that span of seven years, he has averaged 78 tackles per season. He is great against the run and while he is 30 years old, do not be surprised if he is re-signed on a two-year deal if he has another consistent 2016.
Vince Williams: Williams is entering the fourth year of his career. Therefore he, like Timmons will be a free agent after this season. Unlike Timmons, Williams should be able to be retained on a cheap deal, and at his age it would be a major surprise not to see him back.
Williams has made 11 starts in three years. All of those came in his rookie season. He is a special teamer, and is a perfect backup for Timmons. If something is to happen to the 30-year old starter he is great to have around. If Timmons were to hit a wall this year, they may not draft an inside linebacker early. Williams would have a good chance to be a future starter in 2017 in that scenario.
Tyler Matakevich: Matakevich definitely has an outside shot of making the team, but the Steelers should carry ten linebackers, five of each. Matakevich will bring special team value this year. He was the Bronko Nagurski award winner in college football and was given the honor by flying all around the field making tackles. He goes from Big East football to the NFL now, and may not have the size or speed of a starter. However, he can make this team by staying in his lanes, and making tackles on special teams.
Just off the roster:
Jordan Zumwalt can play outside and inside linebacker. There is a better chance he can make it playing inside, but even that is unlikely. The 2014 sixth-round pick has dealt with a ton of injuries, and may be let go if he cannot put something together this year. LJ Fort may have a better chance making the roster than Zumwalt. Fort has been on six teams in five years, but enters year two in Pittsburgh off of the practice squad. It will have to be won on special teams, but Fort and Zumwalt should feel they have a shot against Matakevich this year.
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