Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2019 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in mostly-alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, between June 14 and July 26.
RB MALIK WILLIAMS
Experience: Spent last season as a rookie in Falcons training camp
Contract status: $495,000 cap hit in 2019, under contractual control for four accrued seasons
2019 outlook: A bruising back, Williams was buried on the Louisville depth chart. He had only 67 carries as a senior after two years in junior college. He spent last year’s training camp with the Falcons, and there is something the Steelers like about him. It’s a crowded position room at running back, though, so Williams has an uphill climb to show he can do something the others can’t.
Malik Williams hurdled a defender pic.twitter.com/KcSGmIjujj
— Carlton (@SlopingGiraffe) August 30, 2018
ILB VINCE WILLIAMS
Experience: 7th season
Contract status: $3.84 million cap hit in 2019, signed through 2021
2019 outlook: Just five teammates remain from when Williams joined the Steelers in 2013. He has earned two contract extensions since and has become one of the leaders on the defense, a trusted extension of the coaching staff on the field and in the locker room in regards to motivating teammates and setting an example of work ethic. But with a pair of inside linebackers brought in (Mark Barron signed to a $12 million contract, Devin Bush drafted No. 10 overall), is it possible Williams’ playing time diminishes this season? He will turn 30 by the time the season ends.
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