We have made it to part 34 of our 90-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at Steelers reserve linebacker:

Ulysees Gilbert III

Position:MLB
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 230 lbs
College: Akron
Draft: 6th Round 207th overall in 2019

2019 stats

7 Games Played
3 Solo Tackles
2 Assisted Tackles
5 Total Tackles
0 Defensive Snaps Played
150 Special Teams Snaps Played

Contract remaining

Expires in 2022
$706,960 salary cap number (0.35% of total cap)
$31,960 Dead money
$675,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Lock. At the very least the Steelers just don’t have a whole lot of depth at linebacker. Outside of Devin Bush, Vince Williams, and UG3 the inside linebacker depth chart looks like:

Robert Spillane
John Houston Jr. (UDFA)
Leo Lewis (UDFA)
Antoine Brooks Jr. (Duel safety and linebacker?)

Gilbert has an amazing opportunity ahead of him in 2020, and I think it really means something that the Steelers didn't go out and add another middle backer this offseason.

2020 projection

He’s going to get the reps formerly given to Mark Barron in 2019. Gilbert will see a ton of use in sub-packages and in passing scenarios, so rocket fuel will be dumped onto his 2019 stat line. By seasons end we could even see the 2019 6th round pick supplant Vince Williams on the starting unit depending of the packages used.

Projected stats:

65 Tackles
2 Sacks
4 Tackles for Loss
1 Interception
3 Passes Defensed

Summary

Ulysees Gilbert III is one of those names to remember when training camp roles along. He’s going to receive a serious snap count raise, and it will be interesting to see what he does with it.

If things go sideways — be it injury or performance — it would be more than likely the Steelers turn to the free agent market instead of starting a 2020 UDFA.

All things considered, I expect we’re on the precipice of a giant leap for UG3 in 2020.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry