It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not currently one of the favorites to be atop the AFC. Many factors come into play for a team that is young with many fresh faces, but the returning personnel improving on the field could help propel the team into the competitive conversation. The Steelers would certainly benefit from every player improving, but there are a few key guys on the field that could and will catapult Mike Tomlin's team into contention.
1.) Dan Moore Jr. - OT
The Steelers could have invested in the tackle position in free agency or the draft, but they have not. It is evident that the front office and coaching staff believes in Moore to be the future at left tackle. He shined in some games in 2021, but was very lackluster in others. This is something anyone can expect from a rookie. With that said, any improvement on the offensive line from Moore as far as the running game will bleed into the passing and play action attack.
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The Steelers organization has a legitimate shot to develop Moore into a staple at a pivotal position, especially with the potential for Kenny Pickett to become a franchise cornerstone.
2.) Alex Highsmith
This is not a knock on Highsmith. He is not a bad player by any means. His second year's stat sheet saw six sacks and 15 tackles for loss next to his name. But, could Steelers fans imagine if he leaps into a higher category in terms of his skill set and productiveness? T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree were nearly unstoppable in 2020 with 31 tackles for loss, 23 combined sacks and four forced fumbles. Dupree only played 11 games before tearing his ACL.
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The Steelers defense has the potential to have Highsmith and Watt under contract for the next three years. The better that Highsmith gets, the more dangerous the defensive front becomes. The jump Highmsith made from his rookie to sophomore season should make everyone expect an even better result in 2022. The duo rushing off the edge could be hectic for opposing offensive lines. Don't think reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Watt, can get better? Highsmith taking the next step makes Watt on the other edge that much more dangerous.
3.) Pressley Harvin III
Let's move to special teams. Harvin was a huge fan favorite when he was drafted in 2021. The Steelers moved on from Jordan BerryJordan Berry and took Harvin in the 7th round. This was first thought to be a changing of the guard in the best possible way. Berry had not done enough to be looked at as the punter of the future after six years in Pittsburgh and Harvin was a promising prospect.
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Harvin, however, was less than impressive for the Steelers special teams unit 2021. The team had the fourth worst yards per punt average in the NFL and the fanbase was quick to question the front office's decision to use a draft pick with Harvin. The Steelers do not have a dynamic offense. While very talented, the unit is not going to score 28 points or more in many games during this upcoming season.
That is why field position becomes critical. Punting, to this day, is one of the most, important and underrated positions in the NFL. The defensive players on the field across the league are too talented to consistently let an offense travel 85 or more yards to the end zone. If a team's punter can put the opposing offense in a tough position and pin them deep, it makes a drastic difference.
Every returning player needs to improve for the Steelers to move into a more competitive position in the AFC, but if these three guys did put in the work throughout the off-season, it is surely a good start for the team's progress towards a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
Who do you think needed to have put in the work and improved the most for the Steelers to be successful? Let us know in the comments below!
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