5 best training camp battles for Steelers in 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 30: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels (38) reverses the ball during the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA on December 30, 2018. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortels (5) scrambles for a first down before he is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the second half of an NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 18, 2018, at TIAA Bank Field. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Inside linebacker

Vince Williams vs. Mark Barron

He has yet to play a down in the National Football League. But the Pittsburgh Steelers did not break traditional form in late April and move up 10 spots in the draft to select a player that was going to spend his rookie campaign on the sidelines.

With the 10th overall pick three months ago, general manager Kevin Colbert and the organization opted for University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. It marked the seventh consecutive year that the team used a first-round pick on the defensive side of the ball and the fifth time over that span that the Black and Gold went linebacker with the selection.

Despite the fact that Mike Tomlin’s club gave up the sixth-fewest total yards and rushing yards in the league this past season – and finished 10th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game while tying for the league lead with 52 sacks – all was not well with a unit that has disappointed far too many times. The Steelers surrendered a disappointing 40 offensive touchdowns in 16 games while managing only 15 takeaways.

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So enter Bush. But will he team with veteran Vince Williams or newcomer Mark Barron? The latter was cut loose by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason and could line up at safety as well. A year ago, the team inked former Packers’ safety Morgan Burnett to fill a hybrid role and it never really worked out for a number of reasons. In any case, you can expect both of these players to see their share of action and both in need of a better showing in ’19.

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