Steelers Cameron Heyward Majorly Disrespected By Peers In Latest 2022 Defensive Tackle Rankings

ESPN continues to release positional rankings each day as we head into the 2022 NFL season. Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt was ranked as the league's best edge rusher yesterday in an article released by Jeremy Fowler. Early this morning, Fowler released his defensive line rankings that are compiled with the help of executives, coaches, scouts and players around the NFL. Steelers' defensive menace, Cameron Heyward was not very pleased with his ranking as the criminally underrated lineman came in at the fifth spot.

Heyward was quick to respond to Fowler's tweet defending himself all while giving respect to the other players on the list.

This isn't the first time that Heyward is speaking up for himself in this specific conversation. He recently said that he is the most complete player at his position:

"I know Aaron [Donald] is a really talented, but don't just shy away and say it's Aaron and then everybody else," said Heyward. "Sh*t, it's Cam and Aaron and everybody else."

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Heyward is coming off of a career year for the Steelers although he was somewhat overshadowed by Watt's dominant Defensive Player of the Year campaign. The defensive lineman had 89 total tackles and 10 seconds in 2021. His ranking may come in part due to the Steelers last ranked rushing defense last season, but Heyward wasn't the reason for that.

Steelers Heyward Still Receives High Praise In Fowler's Article

"Heyward's early-30s trajectory has been impressive."Look at his numbers and watch him -- there's no decline at all," an NFL scouting director said.

Fowler went on to comment on his phenomenal season a year ago:

"Heyward, who turned 33 in May, put together one of his best performances in Year 11 with 10 sacks, 89 tackles and 15 tackles for loss on his way to first-team All-Pro status and a fifth consecutive Pro Bowl."

Heyward even drew praise from out of conference:

"I still really like Cam Heyward as a top guy," a separate NFC exec said. "He's just got a power to his game where, when he gets his hands on you, he can drive you back. And he plays his ass off."

Heyward is undoubtedly the best in football at causing havoc for quarterbacks at the line of scrimmage and the article confirmed this:

"Heyward might have a post-playing career in volleyball after recording 16 passes defended (passes either batted or deflected), the highest total among this group. And he did it without recently retired lineman Stephon Tuitt, who missed all of last season, by his side."

Donald came in at first on the list while Tennessee Titans lineman, Jeffery Simmons was second, Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs third and Indianapolis Colts' force in the middle, DeForest Buckner came in ahead of Heyward at number three.

Age seems to be a telling factor in these rankings other than Donald who is 31, but Heyward is still the oldest in the top ten overall. The voters may believe that Heyward is due to settle down as he gets older, but Steelers fans have seen him get consistently better each year.

We know that Heyward is motivated by the underrated nature of his game and these rankings should be a great sign for the Steelers as the team approaches the 2022 season.

Every snap, Heyward plays with undeniable hustle and is seemingly involved in every play for the defense. One of his personal goals for the upcoming season will be to prove he belongs at the top of this list, even above Donald.

 

Do you think the defensive line rankings on ESPN are accurate? let us know in the comments below!

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