Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent, 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.
OLB T.J. WATT
Experience: 3rd season
Contract status: $2.53 million cap hit in 2019, signed through 2020 with a club option for 2021
2019 outlook: With his familiar surname, endorsement-level looks and a 13-sack, Pro Bowl season to his credit, Watt could be on the cusp of league-wide stardom if his play continues to ascend in Year 3. Watt tied for third in the NFL last season with six forced fumbles, when he moved from the right side of the defense to the left. A nitpick about his sack production? Half of his 20 career sacks have come in four games; 35% of his sacks have come against Cleveland.
RB RALPH WEBB
Experience: As a rookie last year, spent camp with New England and on practice squads of Patriots and Steelers
Contract status: $495,000 cap hit in 2019, under contractual control for four accrued seasons
2019 outlook: Like higher-profile teammate Benny Snell, Webb comes with SEC-production pedigree: 4,178 career rushing yards for Vanderbilt. Webb spent time on the practice squad of three teams last season — he scored three preseason touchdowns with the New England Patriots — and has been with the Steelers since December. The Steelers bringing him back was a good sign for Webb, but he must navigate a depth chart that includes James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Snell, Trey Edmunds and more.
We may not have Dion Lewis anymore, but we do have Ralph Webb ? pic.twitter.com/yISuwn9K1R
— Patriots Militia (@PatsMilitia) August 10, 2018
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
