Steelers defensive line and cornerbacks will make each other better

As the old saying goes, ‘iron sharpens iron.’ This should be the case for the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ defensive line and cornerbacks in 2019.

The Steelers were the number one team in sacks (52) and adjusted sack rate (9.3 percent) ast season, according to Pro Football Outsiders. However, Pittsburgh’s defense was often required to rush five players to make this happen – leaving the secondary vulnerable. They may not be able to repeat the sack totals they produced in 2018, but this year they should be even more efficient.

The Steelers secondary was pretty weak last year, and Keith Butler knew it. The right cornerback position was eventually held down by Coty Sensabaugh, but was widely regarded as a vulnerable area on the Steelers’ defense and an easy target for opposing passers.

Because of this, Butler dialed up blitzes often. Occasionally, they would be successful – allowing Pittsburgh to give quick pressure or allow a free rusher to get through. When they were not, however, bad things happened in the back half of the defense.

Recently, the Steelers added cornerbacks Steven Nelson and Justin Layne to help stabilize a shaky cornerback situation. Nelson should be an improvement over Sensabaugh or Artie Burns from day one, and Layne is one of the best cornerback prospects the Steelers have drafted in recent years.

Good defensive coordinators know that the key to a successful defense is to have a blend of talent at all levels of the field.

A team with a great pass rush and a bad secondary will show flashes (much like the Steelers have when blitzing), but without good coverage, it doesn’t matter how much pressure you create. Likewise, a defense with an outstanding secondary will still be made to look bad if there is no pressure from the defensive line up front.

Improvements to the secondary should allow the Steelers to create pressure more consistently and without the need to send five rushers as often. If Pittsburgh can get consistent pressure with their front four in 2019, that will allow them to drop another player into coverage.

With Stephon Tuitt returning to full health and the solid acquisitions in the secondary this season, we may be able to see an example of ‘iron sharpening iron’ first hand in 2019 .