5 best positional groups on the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021
By Tyler Jaggi
2. Interior Defensive Line
Starters: Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Stephon Tuitt
Role Players: Chris Wormley, Isaiah Buggs
Reserve: Isaiahh Loudermilk
Positional grade: B+
This is an experienced group among the Steelers. Heyward and Tuitt have been in starting lineup for nearly 8 years. Cameron Heyward is the leader of the Steelers defense and this group is the key reason why year in and year out the Steelers are near the top of the league in rushing defense. Heyward now has accumulated 58 sacks over his career and has been a 3-time All-Pro player.
Tyson Alualu returns to the Steelers after initially agreeing to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alualu had 38 tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks last season. He will continue his role as the nose tackle for the Steelers.
Stephon Tuitt has been plagued with injuries throughout his NFL career, but when he plays he’s a dominant run defender. Tuitt is the youngest of the 3 starters and will be 28 as the season starts. Chris Wormley was a solid mid-summer trade addition for the Steelers and provided quality snaps. Isaiah Buggs hasn’t been great since drafted in the 6th round of the 2019 draft but he is only 24 years old and could take a step up. Steelers did add another defensive lineman to compete with Buggs and added more youth to the position with Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Steelers defense will be lead by their DLine as it has for several years, as long as age doesn’t show up on Heyward and Alualu, the interior defensive line should be the 2nd biggest strength to the Steelers team.