The Steelers have a handful of players set to take the next step in their development, and 2021 could prove to be their breakout year.
Every year, the Steelers get a handful of players set up in a position where they can take on a new and expanded role for the team. Some of those players end up floundering, but others step up and showcase the talent that they have and break out. They go from a question mark to an exclamation point as they take on a more concrete role with the team. Here are the four Steelers set to break out during the 2021 season:
Steelers CB Cameron Sutton
It may have taken a few seasons, but Cameron Sutton is now one of the best cornerbacks currently on this roster. He had arguably his best season last year in a more expanded role, and now he figures to be the every-down starter at both outside and potentially slot cornerback if he kicks inside during sub-packages. Given the deal he received this year only being for two seasons, Sutton is still playing for a long-term deal with actual starter money involved.
Going into 2021, Sutton is in line to play every defensive snap assuming he remains healthy, and the team doesn’t pull him in the rare circumstance that the game is well in hand. Considering his quality of play has only gotten better every year since being drafted, there is a real chance Sutton ends the season in consideration as a top-15 overall cornerback in the league. He has a prime opportunity to prove that he is a true starting cornerback and set himself up for a payday in the near future.
Steelers OT Zach Banner
The road for Zach Banner as an NFL player has been nothing short of incredible. He entered the league as a fourth-round pick for the Colts and never made it out of training camp. A brief stint with the Browns ended due to weight problems, and suddenly Banner was on the cusp of being out of the league. The Steelers gave him a chance, he transformed his body, and last year he earned the starting right tackle job. Unfortunately, Banner was lost for the season after the first game, but he is back on a new deal with the expectation of starting.
It is easy to root for Banner heading into this season, given his journey to this point. Given his strong play when on the field, it will be exciting to see him come into camp as the starter and hopefully play an entire season. He has overcome quite a bit of adversity to his point, and now he figures to be the Steelers starting tackle for the next two seasons.
Honestly, the changes made this offseason on offense will likely benefit Banners style. Given his size, Banner is a prototypical mauler at tackle, and the physicality that is desired from Adrian Klemm’s new offensive line will make Banner a great fit here. He gets a full season to show that he has developed into a quality player. Given the fire he has for the game, don’t be surprised to hear Banner’s name be mentioned as one of the better tackles by year’s end.
Steelers LB Devin Bush
Devin Bush found his name on this list last season heading into his sophomore campaign. The team had their largest trade-up in the draft since they landed Troy Polamalu in 2003 in order to acquire Bush, and he was thrust into the starting role right away. He flashed plenty of promise early on, and it was expected of him to build off that last year.
He was on the right track last season until he tore his ACL against the Browns. Now, he retains his role as top-dog on the defense, but he really needs to go from a good starter to a pro-bowl level player this season. He needs to be the lead communicator, a top coverage linebacker, and a dominant run stopper from the first week to the last week this season.
Luckily for Bush, he will have every opportunity to do that. The defense has slightly regressed, but the front-seven is still a dominant force that he should be able to help lead. Like how Devin White was seen last year for the Buccaneers, Bush needs to become that dominant force that was expected from him when he was traded up for. If he stays healthy, there is little reason to think that Bush won’t be considered one of the top overall linebackers in the NFL by season’s end.
Steelers WR Chase Claypool
The Steelers landed a somewhat surprising stud in the draft last year when they got Chase Claypool in the second round. A physical freak, Claypool fell to the second due to being misused in Notre Dame’s offense and the general depth that the whole class had. His expectations were limited during his rookie season, but he quickly established himself as a top target for the team.
The issue was, his play seemingly fell off as the season progressed. This was for a variety of reasons, ranging from the rookie wall, the team’s emphasis on the short passing game as opposed to him being more of a vertical threat, and teams having more film on him to counteract him. Heading into 2021, Claypool figures to see the most receiving snaps outside of maybe J.J. Smith-Schuster, and he should cement himself as a top receiver in the league.
With an innovative offense being put in place, the sky is the limit for Claypool entering his second season. While he needs to become more consistent, there is little reason to believe that he won’t be the Steelers’ top threat after this season. He was impressive as a rookie, and while teams will be looking to stop him, now is the time for him to prove that he is truly elite. His rookie seasoning was promising, but a dominant second year could lead to him being considered one of the top players at his position past this year.
The Steelers have quite a few new faces set to take on a more significant role in 2021. Of those players, these four seemed primed to breakout. These players haven’t been bad by any means, but their role and expectations for the team should be sky-high this year. Don’t be surprised to hear their names amongst the teams’ best after this season.