For a late-round draft pick like Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (#5), the path to a roster spot is often through special teams play. It takes special players to become a special teams demon. The concept seems quite easy when covering kicks. Run 40+ yards down field and make the tackle. However, when you look at it closely it’s a bit more complex.
It starts with speed, covering a lot of ground in a short period of time. Next, you need to understand blocking schemes and know how to avoid blockers without losing your lane.