The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a number of changes to their defensive group this off-season. In 2021, the Steelers defense ranked 24th overall in total yards allowed per game, giving up a total of 2,483 rushing yards and 3,656 yards to the opposing passing attack. Although the Steelers had two Pro Bowlers on the defensive side of the football in T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, last year's defensive group was not able to pick up the slack left by the Steelers lack of offensive production.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Myles Jack (#51) participates in the organized team activities (OTA's), Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Injuries did have a good amount to do with the lack of defensive effort last season, but the Steelers have positioned themselves to be in a position where defense is at the forefront of their plans for next season. As stated before, the front office spent money on this side of the football this off-season with the additions of Levi Wallace (CB), Larry Ogunjobi (DT) and Myles Jack (ILB) who all should find themselves making a significant impact on how this defensive group will turn out once Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals hits our schedules.
Although eyes may be on the tight position battles as training camp rapidly approaches, it will be interesting to see how involved each of the new signees will be as their efforts are clearly needed as soon as possible. One position that will have my main focus is the secondary, specifically the cornerbacks. Wallace was the only outside addition the organization made, signing him from the Buffalo Bills, but the organization did retain the contracts of Terrell Edmunds and Ahkello Witherspoon, pairing them with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Sutton in hopes of creating a top tier secondary group.
"I love how together everybody is. The grittiness they play with. They are all trying to do the same thing. They are all trying to be on the same page. They all communicate, which I love. It's been good. A great group of guys."
"And there are no egos in the room, which I really appreciate. It makes the biggest difference when you have the goal that we are just here to win. We all support each other. Here, everyone is on the same page, everybody wants everybody to be successful and go from there."
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Levi Wallace(#29) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 Minicamp on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. (Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
That idea itself would be music to all of Steeler Nation as the organization has been searching for the right secondary group to pair with their top five defensive front. After declining to sign back Joe Haden early in the free agent process, it seems like Sutton and Wallace will be competing for that number one cornerback spot. The both of them are going to see the field regardless, just on opposite sides of the field. Last season, both Sutton and Wallace compared statistically, although Wallace did see a tad more action thrown his way.
PFF ranks CB with at least 20% of league-highest volume, and rated Wallace as a 66.5 overall and Sutton as a 61.9 overall. Wallace was targeted a total of 81 times, with Sutton only seeing 67 pass attempts come his way, but the statistics for both are almost identical. Sutton had 47 solo tackles, two interceptions and allowed just 44 receptions in that amount of targets while Wallace accounted for 50 solo tackles, with two interceptions allowing just 47 receptions to opposing players.
The Steelers hope that adding Levi Wallace to a secondary that ranked 16th overall in total pass defense last year, will help this defense become more complete. Our defensive line group already features two Pro Bowl players who both are coming off double digit sack seasons (Watt and Heyward), and our secondary features an All-Pro Safety in Fitzpatrick. The Steelers now have three viable options as their starting corners for the upcoming season, something they have not been able to say in quite some time.
Do you think the Steelers secondary will be much improved? COMMENT BELOW!
#SteelerNation
