5 players that deserve credit for Steelers undefeated start

Chase Claypool

Admittedly, I didn’t see this coming. Chase Claypool has emerged as the Steeler’s leading receiver as a rookie. This was a receiver that I saw as raw is now the top target. He has the most receiving yards on the team and leads a good receiver group in touchdowns.

Claypool has comparable measurables to Martavis Bryant and could just be what Martavis Bryant could have been without the character issues. Claypool is fast, long, and dynamic. He can come up with the tough catch, beat you over the top, or execute the gadget play. This is going to be the Steeler’s top target for at least the next three or four years.

Tyson Alualu

Tyson Alualu has shot onto the scene in 2020. He has mostly been an effective three or five-technique in the Steelers defense. The Steelers experimented and put him as the zero technique this year and it has paid off.

Surely the Steelers miss Javon Hargrave, but they got an effective player for the role. Alualu is not the same pass rusher than he was earlier in his career. On the bright side, he is now a dominant run defender at this point in his career.

What is smart about the Steeler’s free-agent strategy is they take these first-round busts and revive their career. It seems the Steelers are making the argument that these players are busts because they weren’t coached right. I give Karl Dunbar credit for what he has done with Tyson Alualu.

Conclusion

The Black & Gold have a lot to be thankful for in their success this year. I love the intensity that this team is playing with. They have stars on this team, but they are also getting help from the lower tier guys. Players like Cameron Sutton and James Conner are stepping up despite the questions surrounding them.

I think this team is strong on the offense even if their offensive line is aging and transitioning. This receiving core has stepped up despite my thinking that this was going to be the Achilles heel of this team. They are getting consideration now as the best receiver group in football.