Fifth in a daily series leading into the 2020 NFL Draft, April 23-25:
The Steelers doubled down on the inside linebacker position last season, signing veteran Mark Barron in free agency, then making a trade to move up in the draft to acquire Devin Bush with the 10th-overall selection.
That paid immediate dividends, as Barron and Bush both played critical roles in the team's defensive surge last season, with Barron logging 750 snaps in the middle of the team's defense, many of them alongside Bush, who led the team in tackles while also recording two interceptions and recovering four fumbles.
But with the team up against the salary cap, the decision was made to release Barron, who was due a big raise on the two-year deal he signed last season, leaving the Steelers with Bush and holdover Vince Williams, another key contributor, to handle the starting duties as things now stand.
Williams, a longtime starter, saw his snaps decrease considerably in 2019, though his production on a per-snap basis went up.
Key reserve and special teams ace Tyler Matakevich left in free agency, meaning more will be expected in 2020 of 2019 sixth-round draft pick Ulysees Gilbert and another special teams contributor Robert Spillane.
The Steelers kept five players on their 53-man roster at the position a year ago -- Spillane was signed off the practice squad when Gilbert was placed on injured reserve with a back injury -- meaning the team has a spot on its roster to add another depth piece or potential starter at inside linebacker.
That could mean the Steelers look to fill that spot in the NFL Draft, which will be held April 23-25.
And this is an interesting group of players from which to choose, offering a wide variety of different skillsets, depending on what it is for which teams are searching.
Clemson's Isaiah Simmons is the top player at the position, assuming most teams feel he is an off-ball linebacker. At 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, Simmons has ideal size for the position. But he also lined up at safety at times in his career and even played corner in the slot.
Simmons was one of the star's of the NFL Scouting Combine in February, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and showing off extreme athleticism. He's like a hybrid cross between Bush and Chargers' safety Derwin James and isn't expected to get out of the first six or seven picks in the draft.
Also expected to be selected before the Steelers make their first selection with pick No. 49, are LSU's Patrick Queen and Oklahoma's Kenneth Murray.
Wisconsin's Zack Baun is one of the wildcards at the position. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, he can line up on the edge if asked, as his 12.5 sacks in 2019 would suggest. But he's also solid in coverage and can be a hit-and-run linebacker in the mold of former Steelers linebacker Chad Brown.
"I think that’s a part of my game that teams are really impressed with my ability to be so versatile and kind of do a lot of different things very well," said Baun, a reserve behind T.J. Watt at Wisconsin in the Steelers' star's final season with the Badgers. "With that being said, I played off the ball at the Senior Bowl and got to showcase my ability to do that. I feel completely comfortable and just willing to do whatever it takes.”
If Baun were available when the Steelers make their first pick, they would be very interested in a player they could use either inside or out.
Beyond those four, Appalachian State's Akeem Davis-Gaither and Ohio State's Malik Harrison could be the next players to hear their names called at the linebacker position. Both offer something different.
At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, Gaither is a run-and-hit linebacker whose physicality belies his size. Harrison (6-2, 247) is a bigger linebacker who tested better than expected at the combine, showing there's still some upside to his game.
One of the more interesting prospects in the draft is at inside linebacker. Willie Gay Jr. of Mississippi State -- no, he's not the son of former Steelers corner William Gay -- tore up the combine, running the 40 in 4.46 seconds at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds while looking the part in drill work.
But his tape shows a player with terrible football instincts. He also had some off-field troubles in college, getting suspended for academic issues and also for allegedly punching a teammate. He made just six career collegiate starts -- all in 2018 -- and was ejected from two games in 2019 for targeting. He has Vontaze Burfict written all over him.
Like Burfict, however, there is talent there — if he can harness it and stay out of trouble.
The exact opposite of Gay are Wyoming's Logan Wilson and California's Evan Weaver. Both had plenty of production.
Wilson (6-2, 241) had over 100 tackles in each of the past three seasons, recording seven interceptions in that span, as well, including four in 2019.
A classic overachiever, Weaver isn't the biggest or fastest linebacker in the class, but he was very productive, recording 341 tackles the past two seasons.
Both would be solid pickups on the third day of the draft, offering special teams production with starter potential down the road.
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