Ranking the Steelers defensive positional groups in 2019

The Pittsburgh Steelers made it a point to add help on defense this offseason. Here are their positional group rankings heading into the 2019 season.

The Steelers finished the 2018 NFL season allowing the 6th fewest amount of yards in the National Football League. However, they were in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed (16th), and that is a mark they will look to improve on in 2019.

The Steelers were both good and bad at times on each level of the defense last year. Here is how I ranked each positional group heading into the 2019 season:

1. Defensive Line

Though a lot can change between now and the start of the 2019 season, the Steelers defensive line is hands-down the best positional group on Pittsburgh’s defense. Unlike other groups, the starting defensive line unit is really without any weaknesses.

Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt are mammoths up front and proved themselves as one of the better defensive line tandems in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Javon Hargrave has improved greatly, and provides sound pass rush, while Tyson Alualu is a former 1st round pick who can play multiple positions. This unit is solid, to say the least.

2. Cornerbacks

Who would have ever thought we would see the day that the cornerback position was one of the best groups on the Steelers defense. After stomaching through a few decades of average (or worse) cornerback play, the Steelers have put together a solid squad.

Led by veteran cornerback and former Pro Bowler, Joe Haden, the Steelers cornerbacks are a deep group with Steven Nelson, Justin Layne, and Mike Hilton. Former 1st rounder, Artie Burns, is on the roster bubble, but that may be a testament to how deep the Steelers are at the position right now.

3. Edge defenders

This group would have a chance to elevate itself even higher for me if it wasn’t for the underwhelming play of former 1st round draft choice, Bud Dupree. Dupree had just 5.5 sacks on nearly 900 defensive snaps last season.

However, the Steelers do have a Pro Bowl edge defender on the other side of him in T.J. Watt – who is out to prove why he is one of the best in the business. Outside of their top two, the Steelers have a solid rotational piece in Anthony Chickillo, and 2018 preseason standout, Ola Adeniyi.

4. Linebackers

The Steelers inside linebackers were one of the worst groups in the league in 2018, but Devin Bush will have a chance to make an incredible difference here. The 10th overall pick is one of the better linebacker prospects drafted in recent years.

In addition, the Steelers chose to add Mark Barron as well as two rookies (Sutton Smith and Ulysees Gilbert III) to bolster the linebacker position this year. They mean business.

5. Safeties

Credit Pittsburgh for trying in this area, but I have to say that I scratched my head at the Terrell Edmunds pick last year. Edmunds was a 2nd-3rd round player on my draft board that the Steelers took in the 1st round.

What Pittsburgh does have going for them, however, are two young safeties with athletic gifts. It is still early in their NFL careers, and the Steelers hope that Sean Davis and Terrell Edmunds could develop into the play-makers they need somewhere down the line.

Overall, Pittsburgh is poised to boast an above average defense, at worst, in 2019. With new acquisitions in Devin Bush, Steven Nelson, and Justin Layne, improvements are expected on most levels of the field. We will see if they live up to their billings this season.