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Pittsburgh Steelers: Young defense is headed to be NFL’s best

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) celebrates his fumble recovery against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) celebrates his fumble recovery against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is already on the fast track to dominance, but with the young talent they have, they’re headed to be one of the NFL’s best.

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Ryan Shazier was the first bright spot the Steelers’ defense saw towards the future. Then, Bud Dupree joined the group, followed by Artie Burns and Sean Davis. Now, T.J. Watt, Cameron Sutton, and Senquez Golson are all ready to make their mark on the team.

All the talent in the secondary and the linebackers still isn’t matched with their front three. Led by Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh’s defensive linemen are some of the league’s best already. With Tuitt being only 24-years-old and Heyward being 28, along with Javon Hargrave also being only 24, this defensive line has a long time left in the league and are already dominating.

Maybe this year is still a bit of a build. Not that they’ll be a bad defense. In fact, they should be in the top half of the NFL, and with the development they’ve made in a year, this unit could surprise a lot of people.

The future is where this defense will shine, though. Once, Watt, Cameron, Davis and Burns are done developing they could all be top players at their position. With Shazier and Dupree already looking like two of the league’s best younger defenders, this entire defense is set to be arguably the NFL’s top unit within the next few years.

There needs to be time. Unfortunately, the offense is already hunting for a Super Bowl. If this defense were at its peak right now, Pittsburgh would be hands down the best team in the AFC. But for the time being, they’re going to have to make due as a slightly above average squad.

This defense won’t be one of the best. It will be the best. With everyone they have developing, there will be no doubting that the Steelers are returning to their glory days of the Steel Curtain. Maybe there isn’t the next Mean Joe Greene on the roster, but there is plenty of future superstars.

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Pittsburgh’s defense will one day be the NFL’s best. If the offense can stay together and Ben Roethlisberger can push out another few seasons, this team will easily be the best in the league.

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