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5 Pittsburgh Steelers who will make the biggest leap in 2019

By Tommy Jaggi

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Strong Safety Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Strong Safety Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers had some players who were underwhelming at times last season. Here are the five players most likely to make the biggest leap in 2019.

The Steelers have missed on draft picks too often in recent years, and it is finally catching up with them. Pittsburgh fell short of the NFL playoffs by just one game last season, and a lack of talent in some areas is beginning to show.

Fortunately, the Steelers have a number of young players who will have a great shot to prove themselves in 2019. Here are the five players most likely to make the biggest leap this season:

Terrell Edmunds, SS

I wasn’t a big fan of the Terrell Edmunds pick at all when the Steelers took him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. However, I can see Edmunds making a big leap in his 2nd NFL season.

Edmunds had a very shaky start to his NFL career. Though he finished as Pro Football Focus’s 65th ranked safety as a rookie, Edmunds had a strong second half of the season – earning a grade of 71.6 from week 10 on. The former 1st rounder saw 968 snaps last season, and should have more confidence heading into 2019.

James Washington, WR

Though he looked fantastic in the preseason as a rookie, Washington was very disappointing in regular season action. He and John Ross earned the lowest wide receiver grades in the league among qualifying receivers last season from PFF (49.4).

Washington has a massive uphill battle and two capable receivers nipping at his heals. Coming out of college, he had amazing ball tracking ability and an incredibly strong set of hands. My money is on that James Washington showing up in 2019.

Ola Adeniyi, EDGE

Ola Adeniyi hasn’t yet had the chance to breakout (he was on IR for most of the 2018 season), however, I think his time is coming soon.

The former undrafted rookie is still just 21 years old, and he looked fantastic last preseason before getting injured. I think he will be a lock for a roster spot, and may even push Anthony Chickillo for snaps in the outside linebacker rotation.

Javon Hargrave, DT

Hargrave already began to break out in 2018 with a 6.5 sack performance. However, I think he expands on that number in 2019.

Javon Hargrave is really coming into his own as a pass rusher, and earned an 86.2 grade in the 2nd half of the season for the Steelers last year. He is a pass rush specialist who aids in stopping the run, and should be a big key to their defensive success in 2019.

Jaylen Samuels, RB

The Steelers have Samuels listed as a running back, but I really think he will end up being a Swiss army knife for Pittsburgh in 2019.

Samuels is capable of many things (as he showed us during his rookie season), and the Steelers would like to use him all over the field. I think the second year player stands to see a major uptick in snaps this season for Pittsburgh.

Next. 3 Steelers who could help their cause with a good showing at training camp. dark

There are other names that could have been in this discussion, but I believe these five players stand to see the biggest improvement this season. If they can make a leap this year, things will be looking up for the Steelers in 2019.

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