The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to spend their second pick of the sixth round on inside linebacker Vince Williams out of Florida State. Williams is the second linebacker that the Steelers have chosen in the 2013 NFL Draft, with the first being Jarvis Jones in the first round.
It seems that general manager Kevin Colbert was thinking of the age and durability at the inside linebacker position. Larry Foote, who is entering his 12th year in the league, will more than likely be the starter along with Lawrence Timmons at both inside linebacking spots this season. Foote had a career year in 2012 but is up there in age, and there is a good chance that he won’t be around long.
In addition, last year’s third-round draft pick Sean Spence missed all of last season with a knee injury that he suffered in the 2012 preseason. Spence’s return to the field is should happen, but how he plays after a year a rehabilitation remains a mystery.
If Spence can make a complete comeback and produce on the field, then Pittsburgh’s linebacking corps will be very solid for the 2013 season. In the event that Spence isn’t able to live up to expectations, hopefully Williams can be depended upon to pick up the slack.
Either way, the selection of Williams helps strengthen the Steelers’ group of linebackers and special teams. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau now has more to fall back on as far as linebackers go if they happen to be bitten by the injury bug again.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller, or add him to your network on Google