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Steelers: 5 players who must improve

By Brandon Kring

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs upfield after a catch as Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs upfield after a catch as Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Terrell Edmunds

In 2018, the Steelers shocked the league and fan base when they selected Terrell Edmunds in the first round. His brother, Tremaine Edmunds, had top-15 buzz and ended up being taken by the Bills early in the first.

Terrell was projected by many to be picked in the middle of day two or early on day three. The Steelers made him their first round selection and fans everywhere, including me, questioned the move immediately.

Edmunds has shown flashes of the player he can be and played overall pretty well down the stretch after being thrown into the fire when Morgan Burnett showed he was a failed signing. He had a lot of rookie moments but also showed some of what Pittsburgh saw to take him in the first.

He recorded an interception, a sack, 78 tackles, and four pass breakups in his rookie season. Overall, he played better than a projected fourth round pick, but he did not quite live up to the first round pedigree bestowed on him by the Steelers.

So far in 2019, he has totaled 28 tackles and a pass breakup in three games. That high tackle amount is due to playing more in the box where he should be but also is a tad higher than you’d like to see because a safety with that many tackles means offenses are hitting the second level fsr too often.

Edmunds needs to improve his biggest weakness which is coverage. He had about as good of coverage as you could ask on a touchdown by D.K. Metcalf in week two, but the ball was placed perfectly.

Other moments he has looked lost in coverage. He is still a young player in just his second year, but, he will need to improve fast and having a guy like Minkah Fitzpatrick next to him can only help in his development.

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