There is no more prestigious honor for an NFL player than induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is not uncommon for teams to go decades without being able to claim any of their own who are deserving of this honor. In this regard, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been extremely fortunate. Pittsburgh has a long history of Hall of Fame talent, which began with an incredible group of players in the 1970's. In recent years, Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca have been fortunate to receive this induction, and Ben Roethlisberger is expected to join them in 2027.
Let’s face it, the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North odds are not great, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have some fantastic players. Moreover, the Steelers have a few players on their current roster who have a good chance of making the Hall of Fame someday. So let's look at the current crop and see who might have a chance of joining this illustrious club.
1) T.J. Watt
Watt is, without a doubt, the best player on the team. He was named Defensive Player of the Year last season and could do so again in 2022. Despite missing some time, he tied the record for most sacks in a season last season. He may be looking for more awards, despite previously stating that he only wants to win Super Bowls. That may not be a realistic possibility for this club this year, but Watt will do his best to make it happen.
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You'd think he'd want to at least tie or beat his brother J.J. Watt for most Defensive Player of the Year awards. That appears to be a reasonable goal he could achieve at his current rate, and he could become the Steelers' all-time sack leader this season.
2) Cameron Heyward
Who doesn't adore Cam Heyward, the biggest of all the Steelers' big dogs? Not only is Heyward an excellent leader, captain, and football player, but who can think of a better human being off the field? In addition, Heyward's late father, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, played at Pitt in the 1980's. So it was perhaps fitting that his son, who attended Ohio State University, was drafted 31st overall by the Steelers in 2011.
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With all of the talk about Heyward being a great guy and a great leader, it's almost as if his outstanding play got lost in the shuffle. Furthermore, his proclivity for going after quarterbacks skyrocketed in 2017. He's not Aaron Donald (don't tell Heyward that), but he's one of the best defensive linemen in the league.
3) Najee Harris
Najee Harris had a great rookie season considering the offensive line he had blocking for him. Every time he was given the ball, he was able to push through and gain as many yards as possible. It was a good season, and the Steelers will look to him to help set the offensive pace. The offense will be fully operational under Matt Canada in 2022. Harris appears to have a significant role in that system as the quarterbacks figure out positioning and learn the offense.
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A newly revamped offensive line should make life a lot easier for this Alabama product. Different starters and competition have been brought in to create a better outcome in the trenches. Harris' season should improve as a result of this upgrade. This club places a high value on him, and no other backs can compete with his talent level. He is the starting running back and will carry most of the load, as he did last year. He is crucial to the offense. If he runs well, he will create space for the passing attack.
4) Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson is one of the NFL's best-kept secrets. Not many people have noticed this receiver outside of the Steelers organization, but some may start paying closer attention. He will be a free agent at the end of the season if the black and gold do not re-sign him before soon. However, he is a unique player who can carve out space for himself in various ways.
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He's improved each year he's been in the league. His role has progressed to the top target for this offense, which should result in a nice payday when all is said and done. Fans complain about his drop rate, which was a valid point for much of his career. However, last season, Johnson was one of the best in terms of not dropping passes.
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