After choosing the most overrated player for each of the 32 NFL teams several days ago, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has now turned his attention to each team’s most underrated player and his choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers was certainly spot-on.
Prisco chose Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert:
For the second time in his career, Gilbert started 16 games last season and established himself as one of the better right tackles in the league. After trimming down entering the season, he allowed one sack and was impressive against Broncos pass rusher Von Miller in their two meetings, holding him without a sack.
While Gilbert actually gave up 1.5 sacks during the regular season and another 1.5 during the Steelers two playoff games, I certainly understand where Prisco is coming from with his selection. Gilbert was outstanding last season, for lack of a better word, and currently can probably be considered the most underrated right tackle in the NFL.
Gilbert, as Prisco points out, really did a great job with his conditioning ahead of the 2015 season as he was noticeably leaner as well as lighter on his feet. The Steelers averaged 4.51 yards per rush last season while Gilbert was on the field, which was nearly every single offensive snap as he only missed a total of 5.
Gilbert is now entering his sixth season after being selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Florida. He signed a 5 year, $30 million contract extension with the Steelers ahead of the 2014 season.
Last year, Prisco selected tackle Kelvin Beachum as the Steelers most underrated player. Beachum signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past offseason after missing the second half of the year with a knee injury.
