Pro Football Focus ranked all the defensive lines in the NFL and thanks to the inclusion of all edge rushers, even if they are linebackers, the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked quite high.
PFF ranked the Pittsburgh unit at No. 5 overall in the league. This is a group led by defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Here’s how PFF breaks down the group:
Pittsburgh’s defensive line boasts some elite players, even if interior defender Cameron Heyward turned 34 in March and edge defender T.J. Watt earned his lowest grade since 2018 in an injury-plagued year.
Edge defender Alex Highsmith had a breakout season in 2022, finishing 24th at his position in overall grade (78.0). However, the unit lacks the depth it once had and needs rookie Keeanu Benton to play well right off the bat for the Steelers to retain their place in this top five.
Those three are the stars of the group but this unit has plenty more firepower. on the interior, Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi, Breiden Fehoko and Montravius Adams are stout. On the outside, you add in Markus Golden and Demarvin Leal and you have the makings of one of the top fronts in all of football in 2023.
