3 Steelers positional groups that could be the best in the NFL in 2021
By Tommy Jaggi
The Steelers might have a few weak areas, but these three positional groups have the upside to be the very best in the NFL in 2021.
Not everything went swimmingly for the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason. Due to the pandemic, the NFL salary cap ceiling was lowered to $182.5 million for the 2021 season, according to Over the Cap. It just so happened that the team had numerous starters hitting the free-agent market this offseason, and there wasn’t anything the Steelers could do to retain them.
Though some positions look significantly worse on paper entering the 2021 season, others have the potential to be as strong as they have been in decades. Here are three Steelers positional groups that have a chance to be the very best in the league in 2021:
Steelers safeties
Having a transcending perennial All-Pro talent like Minkah Fitzpatrick would be just about enough for any team to be considered among the best safety groups in the NFL. Minkah has the most takeaway-worthy plays over the past two seasons and is one of the youngest defenders in the history of the NFL to earn 2 First-Team All-Pro honors.
Though Fitzpatrick deservingly receives much of the praise in the back end, Terrell Edmunds was far from a bad player in 2020 either. After a disappointing second season in 2019 that saw Edmunds surrender 4 passing touchdowns and a 131.6 passer rating, that number improved to just 1 touchdown and a 70.8 passer rating allowed last year, according to Pro Football Reference.
Where the Steelers are lacking most among their safety room is experienced depth, as Antoine Brooks Jr. could end up being the top backup this year. However, if both Fitzpatrick and Edmunds can stay healthy and build on their 2020 pace, this could very well be the best safety tandem in the league this year.