Pittsburgh didn’t crack the top 10 in any of the NFL’s main yardage metrics last season. Not in passing, not in running, not in pass defense, and not in run defense. But with the Steelers’ regular season debut hitting this Sunday, and the new coaching staff in charge, it’s time to see if that story is about to change big time. Being in the top third of the league, that’s what a top 10 spot means, and for a team like Pittsburgh, every single margin can make a massive difference.
Run Defense: The Front Runner for Top 10 Status
If the Steelers are going to break into a top 10 ranking this year, their run defense is the most likely candidate. They finished 13th in the NFL last season, allowing 113.1 rushing yards per game, which is close but not quite there. The good news? This defensive line is seriously deep, loaded with run stuffers. You’ve got the ageless Cam Heyward, plus guys like Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and impressive rookie Gabriel Rubio all ready to eat up blocks. Plus, don’t sleep on the edge rushers; they’re way better at defending the run than folks realize. All that power up front should free up an athletic inside linebacker crew to really show what they can do in Patrick Graham’s aggressive scheme. And let’s be real, their secondary isn’t shy about tackling. DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, and Jalen Ramsey are all known for laying out big hits in the box, and that’s exactly what you need.
But hey, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Those inside linebackers, Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, have had communication and block-shedding issues in past seasons. And Cole Holcomb, a top backup, just isn’t looking like his pre-injury self yet. Even the defensive line has its questions. Heyward is a legend, sure, but he’s firmly in his late 30s. And a lot of the excitement around the depth of Harmon and Black is banking on them making a big second-year leap, which is never a sure thing.
Pass Defense: A Major Jump Needed
When it comes to pass defense, Pittsburgh has a steeper climb. They finished way down at 29th in the NFL last year, giving up 243.9 passing yards per game. That’s a huge gap to close. But there’s a real shot they could make a big move. The Steelers boast one of the league’s deepest cornerback rooms, with a projected starting trio that could be straight-up nasty: Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Jamel Dean. Talk about the “Killer J’s,” right? Add Jaquan Brisker to the mix, a versatile safety who’s a massive upgrade over the revolving door of veterans they had last season. You pair that revamped secondary with a modern Patrick Graham scheme and a pass rush that’s absolutely stacked with stars, and suddenly, that 29th-place finish starts to look like a distant memory. This unit has the pieces to absolutely shock some people.
As the Steelers gear up for their regular season debut this Sunday, all eyes will be on how these defensive units perform. Can they tighten up the run defense and get that unit into the top 10? Will the revamped pass defense live up to its potential and make a monster jump? The answers will set the tone for their entire season and tell us if this team is ready to compete at the next level.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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