A look at the Steelers Part IV

Today, we'll take a look at the Steelers' linebackers, a group that includes plenty of depth inside and not so much on the outside.

At inside linebacker, the Steelers have a wealth of riches.

Lawrence Timmons is coming off his first Pro Bowl season and has become one of the team leaders.

He heads a group that includes Ryan Shazier, the team's first-round draft pick in 2014, Vince Williams, Sean Spence, Terrance Garvin and Jordan Zumwalt.

That's six bodies for two starting spots, which Timmons and Shazier figure to hold down in 2015.

Shazier's rookie season was marred by knee and ankle injuries, but the rookie will be counted on to become more of a prominent player in 2015.

The team was upset that it took him so long to recover from getting nicked up - especially with the knee injury - but that allowed Williams - the starter in 2013 - and Spence to show that they were capable players, as well.

Williams is an old-school thumper in the middle. In fact, if the Steelers were looking to deal one of their inside linebackers later this month, he would be the player I'd shop. He's a starter-quality player.

Spence made a miraculous recovery from a knee injury suffered in his rookie season and, in his third season, showed that he can at least be a capable backup. One only wonders where his career would be now had he not completely ripped his knee up?

The Steelers really like Garvin's coverage ability and he's good on special teams. They've also toyed with him on the outside a little bit, but just as when they moved Timmons to the outside in emergency situations a few years back, that's a last resort kind of thing.

Zumwalt, who spent the 2014 season on injured reserve, also practiced on the outside at times, but it's a bit much to ask a guy to play both and be effective. Inside linebackers might have the size to play outside, particularly against the run, but they lack pass rush ability.

That's why the Steelers have always preferred to convert college defensive ends into outside linebackers.

One player they didn't have to do what with was Jarvis Jones. The 2013 first-round draft pick had two sacks in the Steelers' first three games, but suffered a dislocated wrist at Carolina while making the second one.

That cost him nine games as he rehabbed his way back from the injury. When he returned, he was basically the backup to James Harrison - signed when Jones was injured - on the right side.

Jones needs to continue to get stronger, but he had shown some signs early of being able to use hand placement to beat offensive tackles.

Harrison was re-signed in the offseason after recording 45 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2014. But he'll turn 37 next month and the team doesn't want him to be a full-time player in 2015. But he brings a locker room presence and remains a very strong pass rusher.

Harrison also worked out with a number of the Steelers' linebackers this offseason in Arizona, including Shazier, Williams, Spence and Jones, showing the youngsters the ins and outs of how to be a pro.

Arthur Moats also was brought back and is penciled in as the starter on the left side right now. The team moved him back over there when Jones returned and he'll replace Jason Worilds - at least for now.

Moats had 23 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles in his first season with the Steelers after coming over as a free agent from Buffalo. And the 27-year-old still has some upside as he spends his second season in the 3-4.

But the Steelers need to find somebody to push or supplant him in the long term.

Howard Jones hung around on the practice squad last season, but to be honest, I never noticed him much in practice. That's mainly the result of the fact the practice squad guys are running scout team stuff and there's no real contact, but he needs to take a step forward.

Former CFL player Shawn Lemon was signed in the offseason following a 13-sack season in 2014. But in his previous three CFL seasons, he had nine total sacks, so the jury is out on him. The Steelers won't count on him in 2015 but will be pleasantly surprised if he shows he can make an impact.

For that reason, you can expect an edge rusher to be a high draft pick for this team. They need to add a talented young pass rusher to a group that has some guys who either have yet to show much, live up to their potential or are way on the wrong side of 30.