Going into the 2016 NFL Draft all signs indicated that the Pittsburgh Steelers would go all in on defense, and that is what they did from start to finish. The day’s end saw the Steelers draft Tyler Matakevich, a linebacker from Temple with their second 7th round pick.
With the 246th pick in the 2016 #NFLDraft, we select LB Tyler Matakevich. #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/h8OMfC4aVa
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 30, 2016
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised Tyler Matakevich explaining “He’s easy to track. You watch Temple play, he makes all the tackles.” Kevin Colbert offered this:
Colbert on Tyler Matakevich: "He's not the biggest. He's not the fastest. But he's a heckuva football player."
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 30, 2016
Such comments hark back to the end of the 2009 NFL Draft, when the Steelers used their next to last pick to take center A.Q. Shipley. Shipley’s supposedly had short arms for a center and lacked other measurables, but Colbert insisted that Shipley displayed the heart needed to play in the NFL.
- A.Q. Shipley never played for the Steelers, save for the practice squad, but had a respectable career for the Colts, Ravens and Cardinals.
Tyler Matakevich played inside linebacker for Temple, and assuming the Steelers keep him there, he does have a decent shot at a roster spot, as the departures of Sean Spence and Terence Garvin leave at least one opening to be filled.
Video Highlights of Tyler Matakevich
Tyler Matakevich was a four year player for the Temple Owls where he amassed 338 tackles, 7 sacks, 7 interceptions, forced 4 fumbles, and tackled 40 people behind the line of scrimmage. You can see some of his best work for yourself, thanks to the magic of YouTube:
Tyler Matakevich looks to have been a big fish in a small pond. Now he must prove he can do it with the big boys. You can imagine that Steelers Inside Linebacker coach Jerry Olsavsky will give Tyler Matakevich every chance he deserves to impress enough to make the team.
After all Olsavsky himself entered the NFL as a longshot 10th round draft pick from Pitt who supposedly wasn’t big enough, strong enough, or fast enough. But Jerry O was good enough. Matakevich will get the chance to prove the same thing about himself.
Welcome to Steelers Nation Tyler Matakevich.
