3 divisional talents Steelers should look out for in 2021

Joe Mixon

Now I would just be straight-up lying if I said that I desperately needed to put a Bengals player on this list. Because I would be willing to bet that the aforementioned metaphorical bullies and locker will follow Cincinnati into next season. However, the Bengals do hold some rather impressive attrition on their roster nonetheless, so I didn’t have the heart to leave them out.

This final slot came down to the two not-so-average Joes on Cincy’s offensive regime, quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Joe Mixon. I ultimately decided to go with Mixon because we have seen more of his prowess displayed at the professional football level, and consequently know more about the extent of his capabilities as what I think is one of the most underrated RBs in the league.

I would also go as far as to say that Mixon can make more with less as far as his individual impact on the offense’s drives. Joe Burrow needs time for his receivers to get open and to throw downfield, and with an absolutely abysmal offensive line covering him, that would not be a fun task for anyone in the QB unit. I suppose he could rely more on his feet, but with a player of his size, and speed, such a resort would do neither the Bengals nor Burrow himself any favors whatsoever. At least Mixon has the elusiveness to spare a few more yards of turf on each carry he gets.

Despite my evident concern regarding the potential of the players mentioned, I still have rather sizable confidence in the Steelers capability to combat all that their divisional counterparts can possibly throw their way. Pittsburgh, too, has a stacked roster full of exciting players on both the offensive and defensive sections of the depth chart. Unfortunately, the Steelers have previously been caught lacking by these teams in games that they should have done much better in. The last thing that the people of the Steel City would want is to upgrade the probability of those kinds of Sundays.