5 most valuable Steelers through first quarter of 2020 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a number of key contributors through the first quarter of the 2020 season. Here are their five most impressive players so far.

It’s incredibly hard to be disappointed about the start the Steelers have had to their 2020 season. Normally entering Week 6, we could expect a pair of losses at this point – sometimes to inferior competition. However, Pittsburgh has taken care of business in the early going.

The Steelers have not been flawless, however, and there are plenty of players who need to step up their game moving forward. Among the most disappointing is the performance of most players in the secondary, who have had a very difficult time making splash plays and getting the offense off the field on third downs.

Still, there is plenty to celebrate when it comes to Pittsburgh so far in 2020, and several players have been straight-up terrific early in the season. After the Steelers first four games this year, I’ve decided to comprise a list of their most valuable players so far. Here’s what I came up with:

5. Mike Hilton

I never thought I would be including Mike Hilton among a list of the most valuable Steelers – even if the team has only played 4 games so far in 2020. Hilton has always been a solid run defender and a great blitzer, but an average player overall in coverage.

This year, it’s hard to ask much more from Pittsburgh’s impressive nickel cornerback. Though he has allowed 15 of 21 passes to be completed in his direction for 167 yards and a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference, Hilton has essentially played like a bite-sized Pro Bowl linebacker in the early going.

Playing 73 percent of defensive snaps, Hilton has managed to compile 29 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 3 pass defenses, and an interception. Raw statistics aren’t everything, but Hilton has been remarkable both near and behind the line of scrimmage this year.