Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert weighed the most he ever had during his second year in the NFL: 340 pounds.

And, not by coincidence, Gilbert missed the final 11 games that year because of an ankle injury. After another bout with an ankle injury not long after signing a five-year, $30 million contract last year, Gilbert had enough.

It was time for a change — a significant change that has made him into one of the best tackles in the league this year.

Gilbert has dropped 35 pounds to get down to 305 over the past two years with the majority of that weight coming since the end of last year. Instead of looking like an NFL tackle, he can pass as a big tight end at a glance.

Gilbert's transformation has been so noticeable that his teammates went to Google on Wednesday just to compare some before and after pictures.

“We were joking about it (Wednesday),” guard David DeCastro said. “We saw some pictures from him two years ago, and he looked like a different person.”

Gilbert is playing like one, as well.

Through nine games, the Steelers have allowed 22 sacks, and Gilbert is the only offensive lineman who has yet to surrender one.

Dating to the first quarter of last year's playoff game against the Ravens, Gilbert hasn't allowed a sack in 623 snaps.

A lot of that has to do with his new-look body.

“He is playing so well,” center Cody Wallace said. “He is moving very well and really still has a strong punch. I think he is playing the best ball I've seen since I've been here. He is really moving. His footwork is good, and he still is able to sit on those bull rushes from the outside.”

Gilbert has done it against some of the best pass-rushers in the league. The past three weeks, Gilbert has shut out Kansas City's Justin Houston (who had 22 sacks last year), Cincinnati's Carlos Dunlap (leads the NFL in sacks this year) and Oakland's Khalil Mack. The three have combined for 18 sacks this year.

“I am a lot more confident this year and trusting in my technique and taking coaching well,” Gilbert said.

Some of that can be credited to offensive line coach Mike Munchak, but a lot is because of Gilbert's conditioning over the past year. Gilbert hired a personal trainer in Miami, who made sure he worked out and ate healthier.

“I wanted to be in better condition, and I felt like I could do so much better,” Gilbert said. “As a player and going against faster defensive ends in the NFL, you have to slim down so you can move better. You don't have to be heavy to play offensive line. It's all about being fit and being able to anchor and take on faster guys now.”

Relieving extra pressure on his ankles has helped, too.

Gilbert has missed only four snaps this season, and that was at the end of the already decided 49ers game in Week 2. The three years prior, Gilbert missed a combined 1,228 snaps mostly because of ankle issues.

“With my ankle injury I had to lose this weight,” Gilbert said. “It put a lot of pressure on my ankle, and I couldn't move the way I wanted to move. I didn't lose any strength. All I did was lose some weight. I feel like I am in the best shape of my career right now, and I am going to keep working on it and try to stay in tip-top shape all season so I can help this team win.”

Gilbert's transformation from big and lumbering to quick and athletic is a trend around the league and with the Steelers. The Steelers have morphed from one of the biggest offensive lines a couple years ago with the likes of Willie Colon and Max Starks to one of the smallest.

Gilbert is 305, DeCastro is 315, Kelvin Beachum (on IR) is 305 and Maurkice Pouncey (on IR) is a little more than 300. Ramon Foster is listed at 330, but plays at a higher weight, which is typical of left guards. Alejandro Villanueva is 340, but he's 6-foot-9.

What the Steelers value more than anything with their linemen is their ability to move quickly and play athletic. Gilbert is now that guy.

“Weight is a little overrated. You have to be able to move,” DeCastro said. “(The weight loss) has been huge for him this year. You saw it during a play last week when went to hit a defensive end and came back and hit a linebacker. His change of direction, his explosion has been noticeable. He is having his best year by far.”

Mark Kaboly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at mkaboly@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MarkKaboly_Trib.

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