The first preseason game of the year for the Pittsburgh Steelers has come and gone and we are one week closer to the start of the 2022 NFL regular season. Position battles are in full swing and Steeler Nation has many new faces to pay attention to this year. Rookies Kenny Pickett and George Pickens both impressed many across the league with impressive debuts. Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. made a strong case on why he deserves to be the backup for Najee Harris too. In this article though, we are going to take a look at what the defense will look like when the time comes for the Steelers to dwindle their roster down to 53 players.
Steelers' Defensive Line Prediction:
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive linemen, Cam Heyward (left) and Tyson Alualu (right) during training camp in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Cam Heyward
- Chris Wormley
- Tyson Alualu
- Larry Ogunjobi
- Isaiahh Loudermilk
- DeMarvin Leal
- Montravius Adams
The loss of Tyson Alualu during the Steelers' Week 2 match-up against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 proved to be costly. The defensive line struggled to stop their opponents run game all season long. One positive to take from the defensive line though was 5-time Pro Bowler Cam Heyward had yet another stellar season. Heyward recorded 89 combined tackles, 10 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 2021.
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was signed this off-season to a one-year contract worth up to $8 million. Ogunjobi finished last season with 7 sacks and 12 tackles for loss with the Bengals. It is safe to say the Steelers got a low-risk high reward deal with Ogunjobi. DeMarvin Leal out of Texas A&M was the Steelers third-round draft pick in 2022. Playing time may be limited for Leal early on, but he will provide significant depth to a position they have struggled to stay healthy at in years past.
Steelers' Linebacker Prediction:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to a defensive stop during the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
- T.J. Watt
- Alex Highsmith
- Myles Jack
- Devin Bush
- Robert Spillane
- Buddy Johnson
- Mark Robinson
- Marcus Allen
- Genard Avery
- Derrek Tuszka
The Steelers pass rush has consistently been one of the best in the NFL over the past few seasons all thanks to T.J. Watt. But one player who is on the brink of a breakout season is Alex Highsmith. Highsmith quietly had a stellar 2021 season where he recorded 74 combined tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. I expect Highsmith to take yet another big step this season, and once again make the Steelers pass rush one of the best in the NFL.
The Steelers acquired Myles Jack this off-season in hopes to find help at the inside linebacker position, a position they have struggled to find consistency at in recent years. Jack did see a decline in his stat line last season, but he was once one of the top inside linebackers in the NFL just a short time ago. The Steelers hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores this off-season as their senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in hopes to help Jack and Devin Bush get back to their Pro Bowl caliber ways. Bush has seen a tremendous fall off since his stellar rookie season where he recorded 109 combined tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. Bush also was in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. It will be interesting to see how both Bush and Jack do now that they're working with Flores.
One guy to keep an eye on this season would be the Steelers seventh-round draft pick, Mark Robinson. Robinson, out of Ole Miss, has turned quite a few heads so far during training camp. I expect Robinson to see quite a few snaps this season if either Bush or Jack struggle to stop the run game.
Steelers' Cornerback Prediction:
Steelers' Levi Wallace during training camp in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Levi Wallace
- Ahkello Witherspoon
- Cam Sutton
- Arthur Maulet
- James Pierre
- Justin Layne
If there was one move this off-season that flew under the radar, but could make a big impact on the field in 2022, it's the signing of former Buffalo Bills cornerback, Levi Wallace. Wallace, was not one of the big name corners on the market this off-season, but don't let that fool you when it comes to his talent. Last season, Wallace started 17 games for the Bills where he recorded 58 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 interception in the playoffs. At only 27 years old, Wallace could possibly be with the team for many years to come and provide a sense of stability to the cornerback position.
Ahkello Witherspoon was re-signed this off-season to a two-year deal. Witherspoon, who was traded to the Steelers in 2021 by the Seattle Seahawks, found his groove later in the season where he recorded 3 interceptions in the final 5 weeks of the regular season. Wallace and Witherspoon could fly under the radar this season and be one of the best sets of cornerbacks in the NFL in 2022.
Steelers' Safety Prediction:
Steelers' safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Terrell Edmunds
- Tre Norwood
- Miles Killebrew
- Damontae Kazee
Unlike cornerbacks, the Steelers have had a lot of success at the safety position over the last decade and beyond. This off-season, the Steelers re-signed the two-time Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick to a record breaking contract. Terrell Edmunds was also re-signed this off-season to a one-year contract for $2.5 million. The Steelers re-signing both Fitzpatrick and Edmunds means that the starting lineup will not look much different at safety in 2022, but the Steelers did however sign former Dallas Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee this off-season. Kazee started 15 games for the Cowboys in 2021 and recorded 2 interceptions. He is a solid player that adds depth for the Steelers. I expect to see Edmunds be the starter at strong safety during the Steelers Week 1 match-up, but I would not be surprised if Kazee challenges Edmunds for the starting job later in the season.
What do you think of these predictions? What changes would you make? Leave us a comment in the comment section below or on my Twitter @collinlschmitt.
#SteelerNation
