Should Moats Make the Move to Middle?
For over three seasons, Steelers outside linebacker Arthur Moats has been a staple in the Pittsburgh community. On the field, has been a different story for Moats, who has been asked to fill in for a variety of injuries at the position, but also saw his playing time decrease. 2016 training camp darling, Anthony Chickillo, surpassed Moats on the depth chart by midseason. The further the season went, the less defensive snaps #55 saw.
As a matter of fact, once Bud Dupree was healthy and the Steelers were finished “saving” James Harrison, all of the outside linebackers were benched, as a rotation was no longer necessary. With that in mind, I would imagine that Arthur Moats is currently fifth on the outside linebacker depth chart. In front of Moats, are Harrison and Dupree, first round draft pick T.J. Watt, and Anthony Chickillo.
Seventh round pick Keion Adams is the latest young buck backer who is also breathing down Arthur’s neck. If Chickillo continues to improve, and Adams shows playmaking potential in the preseason, Moats might find himself in an awkward situation. He could, all of a sudden, be the number six outside linebacker in the room.
Most NFL teams do not carry six outside linebackers. However, I have a suggested solution for both, Moats and the Steelers. Way back when the seven-year pro was acquired as a free agent from the Buffalo Bills. In Buffalo, he had experience as both an outside and inside linebacker. The Pittsburgh Steelers current inside linebacker depth chart leaves much to be desired.
If we can all take a moment to put our bias aside, the Steelers have a clear hole at the inside backer position. Everyone knows by now that Lawerence Timmons has departed for Miami (sad face), and Vince Williams is his heir apparent. Williams had shoulder surgery in the offseason.
Normally, I try to spin things in a positive manner, but I would be cheating everyone if I just ignored the fact that last year was the healthiest season Ryan Shazier has ever had as a pro. Hopefully, both of those factors will prove fruitless, but they have to be acknowledged. Personally, I want more stability and confidence in the depth at middle backer.
Behind those starters, Pittsburgh has Steven Johnson, Tyler Matakevich, and L.J. Fort on the depth chart. The Steelers also added to that room after the 2017 NFL draft with the additions of undrafted free agents, Keith Kelsey and Matt Galambos.
Steven Johnson is known way more for his special team’s play, but he is also the best that the Steelers have to offer backing up Shazier and Williams. I’m all for the “feel-good” stories behind L.J. Fort and Tyler “Dirty Red” Matakevich, but both of them offer little to nothing on the defensive side of the ball at this time. They are both better suited for special teams. Keith Kelsey and Matt Galambos have turned some heads early at rookie minicamps, but obviously, it’s too early to count on much from both players.
At the same time, Pittsburgh seems to have a traffic jam at the outside linebacker position. Now I’m guessing that as of today, James Harrison and Bud Dupree will be your Week 1 starters, with T.J Watt heavily rotating in. Next up off the bench should be Anthony Chickillo, assuming he’s still on the path of progression that peaked through last season.
Then comes the interesting scenario of Arthur Moats. Will he have another “above the line” preseason like in 2016, and solidify his spot? It’s certainly possible.
Could the rookie, Keion Adams, flash athleticism and a nose for the quarterback, thus taking Moats’ spot?
That’s a possibility as well.
If Moats is unable to crack this youth movement of outside linebackers (excluding Deebo), a move to inside backer could be in the cards. This is not a knock on Moats, more so a compliment actually. I personally want Arthur Moats to remain a Steeler: a Steeler who can help the team on the field.
Currently, I don’t see that happening at outside linebacker. However, I can see Moats making the move inside, and penciling himself in right behind Shazier and Williams as the immediate backup. A tandem of Steven Johnson and Arthur Moats makes me feel much more confident than the duo of Dirty Red and L.J. Fort.
If Moats stays in Pittsburgh and solidifies the depth at inside linebacker, everybody wins.
