Jeremiah

Moon

Watt isn’t expected to get his usual amount of snaps, but the future Hall of Famer will be able to held as a pass-rusher in sub-packages in the winner-take-all game. The Steelers inactives for Week 18 will be WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Tre Flowers, LB Jeremiah Moon and OT Jack Driscoll.

Moon played for the Steelers last year but didn’t make the roster for this season. The Panthers scooped him up and he has appeared in one game for them, playing exclusively on special teams. Moon will give the Steelers some extra depth after they lost T.J. Watt to a lung issue.

Moon contributes minimally but makes his mark regularly via special teams. His 85.2 PFF special teams grade ranks third among Steelers players and his six special teams tackles ranks fifth.

Moon (6’5/249) is a versatile player who shuttled between off-ball linebacker and edge but struggled to stay on the field, missing significant chunks of three different campaigns with season-ending injuries. He was considered a full-time edge from 2018 to 2020. Move to off-ball linebacker in 2021, Moon had his best statistical season, recording 49 tackles, 22 stops, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks. His 35-inch arms help him beat blockers to the punch and dislodge to make plays on the ball. However, his lean frame allows him to be overpowered and controlled by bigger linemen. Moon holds his own athletically, as his 40.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-1 broad jump, and 9.21 relative athletic score attest. Versatility should help Moon in his bid to secure a roster spot, but he’s going to need a lot of work to crack an NFL defensive line rotation.

Moon has struggled a bit to find a solidified position at Florida. A few years ago, he was recruited as a defensive end, but moved into more of a linebacker role as time went on. Moon is still along the lines of a linebacker you want as a “rush” backer, but it is tough imaging him as a true, hand-in-the-dirt defensive end in an “even” front. Moon has all the athletic tools for a creative defensive coordinator to take advantage of, so perhaps a team falls in love with his potential in Mobile. Moon, heralded as a late Day 3 prospect by many, has never earned more than three sacks in a season.

Moon missed all of spring because of a foot injury, but he’s expected to be healthy at the start of the season. The junior is expected to be a starter at the EDGE position opposite Jabari Zuniga, and it should give them a heck of a 1-2 punch on the outside. Don’t be surprised if Moon -- assuming he’s healthy -- is one of the breakout stars of the SEC in 2019.

Moon is one of three players listed on Monday who is expected to miss spring practices, including offensive lineman Griffin McDowell and defensive tackle Marvin Dunlap. Moon is the biggest of these losses, as he’s projected as a starter at defensive end, and is being counted on to help alleviate some of the loss of Jachai Polite, who is off to the NFL. Fortunately, Moon is expected to be ready to roll for fall camp, but it’s a situation that will be worth monitoring.

Moon apparently suffered the injury in the team’s 17-16 loss to LSU on Saturday. We should get an update on his progress later this week.