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Steelers 2-a-days: Zach Gentry, Ulysees Gilbert look to build on modest rookie seasons
Editor’s note: Leading up to a unique Pittsburgh Steelers training camp staged at Heinz Field this year, the Tribune-Review will be running through the team’s 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2020 season. The breakdown will go through the roster, in mostly alphabetical order, two per day, between June 9 and July 23, a day that was originally planned to be reporting day for players to camp. (Contract data courtesy of spotrac.com)
TE ZACH GENTRY
Experience: Second season
Contract status: $761,115 cap hit for 2020, signed through 2022
2020 outlook: Gentry was the clear No. 3 tight end in his rookie season, but he was active for just four games. With veterans Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald in front of him, Gentry will compete with Zach Rader and Christian Scotland-Williamson to be No. 3 this year.
Bottom line: As a converted quarterback in college, Gentry was viewed as a project when the Steelers selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. With a year in the Steelers system, Gentry will be expected to make the type of second-year improvement coach Mike Tomlin seeks from his young players. At 6-foot-8, Gentry still presents an inviting target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Zach Gentry & @Ulysees_G5 spent the evening with youth in @AmachiPgh at their screening of newly released film Just Mercy! #InspireChange pic.twitter.com/y8Bkb6SJ2E
— Steelers Community Relations (@SteelersCR) February 17, 2020
LB ULYSEES GILBERT III
Experience: Second season
Contract status: $706,838 cap hit for 2020, signed through 2022
2020 outlook: The departures of Mark Barron (released) and Tyler Matakevich (free agency) moves Gilbert up the pecking order at inside linebacker and makes him the primary backup to starters Vince Williams and Devin Bush. If Gilbert doesn’t show he’s worthy of an increased role in the preseason, the Steelers may look on the waiver wire for help.
Bottom line: Gilbert did what sixth-round picks typically do in their rookie season: contribute on special teams. Gilbert played in seven of the first eight games and had three tackles, plus two assists, on special teams before a back injury landed him on season-ending injured reserve. The Steelers are counting on Gilbert to be healthy — and contributing on defense as well as special teams — this season.
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