At virtually every position on the football field, speed has become increasingly important over time. perhaps no position has seen the value of pure speed rise in recent years more than at linebacker, particularly inside linebacker, with the rise in prominence of running backs and tight ends who function as primary passing targets. Today’s inside linebackers have to keep up with these new-age players who can be glorified wide receivers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were sorely missing that speed component from the middle of their defense last season with Ryan Shazier unable to participate. He and his pure speed—not to mention his diagnostic capabilities—were in the process of transforming the defense when he suffered a career-pausing injury in December of 2017.