Steelers All 91: OLB/FB Sutton Smith

All 91 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 91 members of the Steelers 2019 training camp roster.

42 • Sutton Smith, rookie outside linebacker/fullback

Last year: Smith was a monster at Northern Illinois, where he played defensive end. The Steelers plan on using their sixth-round pick in all three phases.

Stats: Broke his own NIU record with 15 sacks in his senior year. Made a total of 61 tackles, 26 1/2 for a loss, forced four fumbles and recovered three. Blocked two kicks and scored two touchdowns.

Accolades, Highlights:

First two-time, first-team All-American in NIU history. Was the MAC defensive player of the year.

Undersized? Yes. Disruptive? Very much so. #Steelers rookie Sutton Smith comes off the edge, displays his ability to dip and bend and gets the strip sack. #SteelersFilm #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ZuijimJnXt

— Black and Gold Nation (@B_GNation1) June 15, 2019

Camp outlook: Smith’s calling cards are versatility and physicality. The Steelers are turning the undersized collegiate defensive end into a three-way player by working him at outside linebacker, fullback and on special teams. How he deals with the workload and knowledge level of three phases of football will be the key to his future.

Projected role: It seems unlikely that the Steelers would invest a draft pick and the time of training Smith to play three positions if they didn’t plan on him making the 53-man roster. He’ll have to fight for a helmet on game days, though.

Coverage links:

5 Things We Learned from Steelers Off-Season Workouts

One-on-One With Steelers Linebacker Sutton Smith

Steelers Sign LB Sutton Smith to Four-Year Deal

The rest of the 91: