4 most underrated players on the Steelers halfway through the 2020 season
By Tommy Jaggi
The Steelers have some talented players that have flown under the radar this year. Here are their most underrated players in 2020.
Anytime you have a football team that is 9-0, you’re going to be credited with having one of the league’s most impressive rosters. The 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers are no exception. Though certain positions may be lacking star power, this is a deep team with dozens of consistent contributors.
With high-profile names like Ben Roethlisberger, T.J. Watt, and JuJu Smith-Schuster routinely grabbing the attention of the general media, many other players on the Steelers tend to go unnoticed. Recently, young players like Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson have hooped on the fast track to stardom, while outside linebacker, Bud Dupree, and interior defender, Stephon Tuitt, are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.
Still, there are a number of talented Steelers players who have made a big impact this year but aren’t as well known to casual football fans. A little more than halfway through the season, here are the four most underrated players on Pittsburgh’s roster:
4. OLB Alex Highsmith
How could a rookie be underrated halfway through his first NFL season? It’s easy when you’re playing like Alex Highsmith. Coming out of Charlotte, Highsmith wasn’t a highly-touted prospect. Even now, the 2020 third-round pick rests in the shadows of edge defenders T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. However, every time he sees the field he has been impressive.
Over the past three games, the rookie has surprisingly started to carve out a sizable role. In 56 defensive snaps over this span, Highsmith has managed 6 total tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 interception. Additionally, he has earned a remarkable overall grade from Pro Football Focus this season and has made strides in each game so far. He’s a name the general media will soon recognize.