The Pittsburgh Steelers expect to have a dominant defense in 2022 after a somewhat disappointing 2021 season. Beyond the leaders and stars, TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward, the defense will need other guys to step up. A few guys have returned from injury, and the team made multiple key signings on the defensive side of the ball.
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What's often not talked about enough though is the potential growth of young guys that get another off-season and training camp in the Steelers system. Alex Highsmith instantly comes to mind, as he aims to continue his upward trend and truly breakout in his third season. Watt met with media on Thursday, and he had this to say on the growth of sophomore defensive lineman, Isaiahh Loudermilk.
"He's continuing to grow. We talk about trending in the right direction, I feel like he's done a good job of that," Watt said via the Steelers Twitter page. "He's obviously stout against the run, and he's continuing to grow as a pass rusher as well."
Loudermilk made the team last year after the Steelers selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He got quite a bit of playing time with the absences of Tyson Alualu and now-retired Stephon Tuitt, and it was a definite learning process for him. He played 29% of the team's defensive snaps, in addition to making two starts. That's a lot of playing time for a fifth-round rookie, specifically one that was seen as a raw, unfinished product coming out of college.
This off-season, Loudermilk has added on some weight and bulked up. That should only help him when going against bigger offensive linemen in his second season.
While the release of Genard Avery on Tuesday was a shocking one, it spelled good news for Derrek Tuszka. Tuszka now seems to be a lock to make the roster as one of the primary backups at outside linebacker. Watt discussed Tuszka's progress this off-season and training camp.
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"I always forget that he wasn't in training camp last year," Watt said on Thursday. "He's done a great job acclimating. I feel like he's gotten a lot more comfortable with the reps he's had this year."
Like Loudermilk, Tuszka got more playing time than expected in 2021. He played 24% of the team's defensive snaps, as well as being a key contributor on special teams where he played 45% of the snaps. Unlike Loudermilk, he didn't spend training camp and the preseason with the team. The Steelers signed him to the practice squad in early September, before eventually elevating him to the 53-man roster due to injuries. Referring to what Watt was discussing, this was Tuszka's first off-season with the team. As a result, he's been able to acclimate himself a bit more and learn the system.
These two guys are expected to be key depth members of the defense in 2022. Watt's praise for both of them should come as good news for just that: the depth of this defense. Loudermilk specifically will be expected to take a step forward in his second season. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin expects big things out of him as well. It won't come easy though, as the defensive line may be the deepest position group on the Steelers.
What are your expectations for these two guys in 2022? Will Loudermilk take a big step forward in Year 2? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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