There are multiple areas of need for the Pittsburgh Steelers that they will look to address over the next couple of months. The cornerback room is extremely thin, the offensive line needs to be improved, the inside linebacker group was below average last year, and the list could go on. Was it luck that Pittsburgh finished with a winning record, or is that a testament to how well their studs played on both sides of the ball? What if the Steelers’ biggest need is not any area listed above? 
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Was the Steelers' Pass Rush Good?
Pittsburgh was tied for 14th in team sacks with 40 this past year. TJ Watt had 5.5 sacks, while only playing 10 games last year. Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith played the entire year, racking up 10.5 and 14.5 sacks, respectively. That all sounds good, but here is how the sack total is misleading. Only 14 of the 40 total sacks came from true defensive linemen. The Steelers generated the third lowest defensive pressure percentage in the NFL, meaning they rarely got to the quarterback. What makes that even worse is the fact that the Steelers were the sixth highest in blitz percentage, sending an extra guy or two very often.
The @nyjets brought the pain in 2022 when comparing how often a defense blitzed vs. how often it created pressure.
— Brad Congelio 🏈📊🧑💻 (@BradCongelio) February 4, 2023
The #SuperBowl teams are quite close to each other, too. And it's very strange seeing the @steelers in the high blitz/low-pressure section. #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/mvlXvcRVGQ
The Semi-Bright Spot 
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers’ run defense was dead last in yards per game in 2021, giving up over 146 yards on the ground. They improved to ninth-best at just 108 rush yards per game allowed in 2022. Heyward was great in both the run game and pass rush, leading the team in tackles for a loss with 14. Current free agent, Larry Ogunjobi, who was signed to a one-year, $8 million deal, was the biggest cause for this turnaround, though. He was great against the run this past season and added some needed size to the defensive line. Is he someone the Steelers look to bring back for next year?
How Was the Pass Rush So Bad? 
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers only had three guys capable of getting to the quarterback in 2022: Heyward, Highsmith, and Watt. Watt missed seven games and in those seven games, the pass rush was abysmal. Even with Watt playing, the Steelers still did not generate pressure, why? One reason could have been the offensive struggles. Pittsburgh only managed 18.1 points per game, sixth fewest in the league. That results in times where the defense goes out on minimal rest, still tired from the last possession. Also having a lack of depth at defensive tackle and edge hurt the Steelers and their pass rush.
Who Can Improve the Defensive Line? 
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (Twitter: JSKO_Photo)
The good news is the three biggest contributors to the pash rush will all be back next year. DeMarvin Leal could also look to improve on his rookie season and be a nice rotational piece for Pittsburgh. Adding some depth at OLB behind Watt and Highsmith could give Pittsburgh the opportunity of rotating some guys in and out. Adding someone from the draft could be a possibility if they feel the value is worth it. In addition to Ogunjobi, Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley are also free agents. Losing them could mean an even larger importance on the defensive line.
What do you think the Steelers’ biggest need is? Let us know in the comments below.
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