Steelers News: The Steelers need help at inside linebacker, but what does that look like?

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the team is in desperate need for help at inside linebacker, and this NFL Draft could be just what the doctor ordered.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a lot to get Devin Bush in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but they still need more help at the position.

Steelers’ evolution at inside linebacker could include additions in NFL Draft

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

About this time in 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers were finishing up an eight-month process of spending four draft picks and $13.45 million in guaranteed money into fortifying the inside linebacker position.

A year after those investments, the Steelers still seem to have work to do at the position.

The release of Mark Barron and the departure of Tyler Matakevich in free agency last month leave the Steelers with Devin Bush and Vince Williams atop their inside linebacker depth chart, with only unproven 2019 sixth-round pick Ulysees Gilbert and journeyman Robert Spillane behind them.

The Steelers did not add an inside linebacker in unrestricted free agency. They didn’t even go the reserve/future route or rummage through the XFL-castoff bin to add depth. That suggests a near-certainty an inside linebacker or two will be added by the end of this week, be it via one of the team’s six draft picks or in the undrafted free-agent market after the draft ends Saturday.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Speaking of ILB, this draft could be a very good one to bulk up the depth at the position.

NFL Draft linebacker breakdown: Production galore from this class

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The NFL Draft is April 23-25. Each day leading up to the first round, the Tribune-Review is compiling a positional preview of the top draft prospects.

1. Isaiah Simmons

Clemson, 6-4, 238

Simmons earned the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 2019 as a redshirt junior. He also was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American after amassing 102 tackles, including 16 for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions and nine pass breakups. Simmons flashed his speed at the NFL Combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. Simmons led Clemson with 89 tackles as a sophomore, including nine for loss. He also broke up seven passes and forced three fumbles.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• A deeper dive into the potential along the offensive line within the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Triple Take: OL

By: Steelers.com Staff

—>> VIEW 2020 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS VIDEOS

The “The Triple Take” now moves to the offensive line. In our eighth installment of this draft prospect preview by position, the Steelers Radio Network trio of Matt Williamson, Dale Lolley and Mike Prisuta give their takes on the top prospects at the offensive line position. If you want to hear the audio version of “The Triple Take” click here.

Matt’s Take ...

Matt Williamson: This is a league that is short on offensive linemen. The big people on defense are getting more and more freaky from an athletic standpoint and offensive linemen are entering the NFL less and less prepared to handle those challenges. On the interior, at guard and center, this group of incoming players is one of the worst position groups of this draft class. But, on the other hand, the more difficult spot to find talent, offensive tackle, is actually quite rich this year with talent. And you will notice that few interior linemen made the top 10.

#10 - Isaiah Wilson, Georgia (6-6, 350 lbs.) - Wilson is a massive person that gets on his man and finishes him with power. He can engulf defenders like few offensive linemen coming out of college in recent memory. Wilson is quite explosive in a straight line, but not yet a technician. Playing is space isn’t Wilson’s forte though and he lumbers to change directions, so the scheme he goes to could have a lot to do with if he ends up being a success at the NFL level.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• BTSC articles you may have missed...

Enter the BTSC contest!! Predict the Steelers’ top pick and WIN!

You be the GM...make the Steelers’ picks!

A mock draft to see who the Steelers take at pick No. 49

PFF’s latest Steelers article certainly missed the mark

Why you shouldn’t put too much stock into any mock draft

• Social Media Madness