5 Steelers who have played surprisingly well during 2020

Tyson Alualu

The fact that Tyson Alualu is blossoming in his 11th season as a pro is nothing short of impressive. The former Jaguar was considered a bust for a long time, as the former first-rounder never developed as a pass rusher and was relegated to situational run-stuffing duty. While his play did pick up a little bit when he signed with the Steelers in 2017, he was still nothing more than a rotational backup. This year, he was asked to move to NT to help replace the departed Javon Hargrave, a tall task considering how dominant Hargrave was in that role.

Essentially from his first snap though, Alualu has been playing the best football of his career. The switch from DE to NT in the Steelers scheme isn’t an easy one, but Alualu has looked dominant in the role. His run stuffing talent helped the Steelers stuff, Saquon Barkley, in week one, and his steady push from the middle has aided the team’s pass rushers into getting more pressures. Alualu has completely shed the bust label now, as he is slowly being recognized as one of the best interior defenders in the league.

The fact he has transitioned so seamlessly is a testament to his overall talent. Being able to plug the run as an NT is the primary goal, and Alualu is winning that battle so far. As well, he has been able to collapse the pocket on some passing plays, forcing QBs into bad decisions and allowing the rushers to chase the QB down for a sack. While not a glamorous position, Alualu is keeping the NT spot alive in Pittsburgh, and his early-season play deserves a lot of respect from the league going forward.