In this article, we will focus on which Pittsburgh Steelers players are going to play exceptionally well in 2023. The usual NFL awards will be up for grabs: MVP, Rookie of the Year (Offense and Defense), Comeback Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, and applying these awards to just the Steelers' roster. Let's get into it!
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Steelers Young Offense Celebrates Together
Steelers Offensive Rookie of the Year
The winner of this award is most likely going to be Darnell Washington. He is not going to be TE1; that job belongs firmly to Pat Freiermuth and he won't be losing his job (pending possible injury or a drastic decline in play). Washington, however, can't be ignored as a prospect, because he is what many would call a "unicorn" at the position. That means he has a very rare mix of size, athleticism, and speed. The term "unicorn" does seem to fit, especially when his RAS (Relative Athletic Score) was calculated post-NFL Combine. This man is 6'7" and runs a 4.64 40-yard dash, which relative to his height is unheard of, hence why he scored a 9.88 out of 10 for athleticism. Route running leaves a little to be desired because he is so tall, but he is going to be a redzone monster.
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University of Georgia tight end, Darnell Washington (#0) catches a touchdown over a University of Alabama defender.
Steelers Defensive Rookie of the Year
This team award will come as a surprise to many fans, as Joey Porter Jr. is not the pick. Keeanu Benton has the potential to be the front runner for this team award. He most likely isn't going to light the league on fire and win the actual NFL award, but with the rest of the pass rush being as dominant as it is, it's not crazy to think he will finish the season with at or close to double digit sacks.
TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are both poised to have monster years, especially with Highsmith being in a contract year and the age-less wonder, Cameron Heyward, lining up next to Benton and commanding double teams. Therefore, Benton could have many favorable matchups on his hands.
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Steelers draft selection Keeanu Benton during his college career at Wisconsin.
Steelers Comeback Player of the Year
This award will probably go to someone few in the fanbase saw coming. This award could go to Watt, considering he missed a majority of 2022 with a pectoral injury and wasn't at 100% for the rest of the season. It's a possibility however, the winner of this award is going to be Calvin Austin III. He is technically in his second year as a pro, but has yet to play at all for the Steelers since a foot injury totally derailed his 2022 season. With a 4.32 40-yard dash and 6.65 3-cone drill (both of which are considered elite), he is poised to play an impactful role in 2023.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Calvin Austin III
Steelers Offensive Player of the Year
Another curve ball, the winner of this award will be George Pickens. Many analysts and insiders believe that Pickens is poised for a breakout season. Now for a rookie, and especially one that was criminally underutilized, he didn't have a terrible rookie season. He finished with 52 catches for a little over 800 yards and four touchdowns. 2023 however is going to see Pickens emerge as a true WR1.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' Kenny Pickett and George Pickens celebrating after a touchdown in a game at Acrisure Stadium in 2022.
Steelers Defensive Player of the Year
If Watt stays healthy for all or most of the year, then he is a lock for this award for both the team and the league as a whole. As a bold prediction, Watt breaks the sack record this year. Based on how angry he was about last season, he is going to come out of the gate with a newfound fire, especially after some choice words by one George Kittle.
If another injury occurs, then the two other likely candidates for this award are Highsmith or Minkah Fitzpatrick. As mentioned previously, Highsmith is in a contract year, and after his 2022 season, it's not crazy to think he could have an even bigger year in 2023. Fitzpatrick was a saving grace when Watt went down with injury; he played out of his mind in 2022 and could very easily do that again.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) celebrates after making a big play at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Team MVP
The Steelers are banking on Kenny Pickett stepping up. He has a lot of hype surrounding him going into the 2023 season, and many think he is poised for a breakout season. It's believed he will have a huge second-year leap that will propel this team to greatness. Many of the games this season will be close, so the team is going to rely on Pickett to put the team on his back, just like the games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens in the 2022 season.
Pickett's numbers last year did not do his play justice. Many could see him growing into the role of franchise quarterback as the year went on, and the two game-winning drives against the aforementioned Raiders and Ravens are prime examples of that.
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Steelers' Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett
Conclusion
Steelers finish with a great record, a playoff berth, two All-Pros, and at least six Pro Bowlers (although hopefully they won't be playing in the Pro Bowl). The optimism and the hype around this 2023 is real, and if even half of these predictions come true, all of us yinzers will be pretty happy. Bring on the 2023 NFL season!
