While the start of the season has been bumpy for the Steelers, these six players have legitimate superstar potential for the team.
The Steelers haven’t had an ideal start to the season, but that doesn’t mean that some of their younger players haven’t flashed. While it is still early in all of these players’ careers, each has demonstrated the traits necessary to be a superstar at the NFL level.
They still have a way to go mind you before that label can be given, but the ability they have flashed in 2021 should entice fans moving forward. Here are six Steelers that have superstar potential for the team.
Steelers James Pierre
While it all hasn’t been pretty for the former undrafted rookie this season, James Pierre has developmental traits that should make all fans excited. While he hasn’t been used as a full-time starter outside of injury in 2021 so far when on the field he has looked far better than a previously undrafted corner should.
He has shown great physicality at the line, tackling ability, and coverage skills both in the short and medium passing game. His main struggle is covering the deep ball, as he regularly gets too focused on the quarterback and as a result, falls behind his man. He doesn’t have the athletic ability to catch up either, which has resulted in some bigger plays given up by Pierre.
With his size though, Pierre can focus on bumping his man more at the line and keeping his eyes on the receiver as opposed to the quarterback. His average athleticism won’t change, but the way he covers can. To put this into perspective, Cameron Sutton was horrible through his first two seasons, and he was a third-round pick. The fact that Pierre has looked this good so far is a great sign. He has some big steps to take, but he is on pace to be a starter sooner rather than later in this league.
Steelers Chase Claypool
One of the biggest surprises from last year, Chase Claypool has all the traits to be a top receiver in this league. He has incredible size and amazing athleticism, which has already turned him into a good deep threat. He needs to continue to develop his all-around game if he wants to take that next step though. By all accounts, he is a hard worker, so it should be expected that he makes the necessary improvements.
With JuJu Smith-Schuster officially done for the season, Claypool has a chance to show off more versatility in the slot. While at his best making physical catches deep, he can show off some more refined route running and position diversity if he is used more in the slot. This will further sharpen his non-deep route skills and will make him a more complete receiver.
The only reason Claypool isn’t higher on this list is that his jump from his rookie season to 2021 hasn’t been immense. Sure, he has looked better than he did a year ago, but it hasn’t been an astronomical jump like some sophomores do. If he can show a lot more diversity out of the slot, that will change by the season’s end. Assuming he makes the necessary developments, Claypool has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the league.
Steelers Pat Freiermuth
One of the bigger surprises out of the rookie class has been just how effective Pat Freiermuth has been on the offense. While long-term the goal was for him to start, rookie tight ends typically take a season or two to develop before they can be relied on regularly. While Freiermuth is far from elite, he has flashed the ability to be a safety valve for the offense, and long-term, he could contend as one of the best all-around tight ends in the league.
While not the receiving threat like Darren Waller, Freiermuth’s game more resembles a young George Kittle or Travis Kelce. While not the athlete either are (he is average at best), he can chip in as a blocker and rarely drops a pass. While he won’t be seen as elite during his rookie season, he is far ahead on his development than most thought he would be.
Assuming he makes the sophomore jump that most tight ends do, Freiermuth could be a top tight end as early as next season. While his athleticism will never make him the best, the Steelers seemingly got a good one in Freiermuth. He is already heavily relied on and should be a staple for this passing offense for the next few years.
Steelers Alex Highsmith
One of the hottest names from the Steelers offseason, Alex Highsmith has lived up to the lofty expectations that he set. While he hasn’t set the world on fire in terms of production, he has been a regular force on defense in both run defense and pass defense. In terms of getting after the quarterback, no one on this team is as quick off the snap as Highsmith. His burst off the line is his most impressive trait.
As a speed rusher, Highsmith is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with across from T.J. Watt. While he only has 1.5 sacks, those numbers should steadily increase as he gets healthier and continues to play more snaps. Impressively, he was on the field for 100 percent of the team’s snaps against the Seahawks, more than either Watt or Melvin Ingram. The team sees the potential in Highsmith, and odds are he has a great continuation to his season after the bye week.
Long term, Highsmith could become one of the better speed rushers in the league. Playing across from Watt helps, but Highsmith has shown a lot of positive traits in just his second season as a pro. Assuming he continues refining his skills, the sky is the limit for him. He has the potential to form the best pass-rushing duo in the league with Watt by next year. His play has been lights out, and it looks like the Steelers got a steal last year in the third round of the draft.
Steelers Dionte Johnson
There was never a question as to what Dionte Johnson can do well, as he was lauded in college for his route running and ability to make a defender miss a tackle. Entering the league, he has regularly shown those traits, which really makes him a potential top receiver in the league. His issue has been dropping passes, something that hasn’t plagued him this season so far, and as a result, he has been flourishing.
It is quickly becoming the Johnson show with the Steelers just like it was with Antonio Brown a few seasons ago. Both players win in similar ways, and while Johnson is nowhere near where Brown was in his prime, he offers a similar style of ability. Both can attack the short and middle portion of the field and make a big play with the ball in their hands. With drops becoming less of an issue, Johnson is really starting to look the part of an elite receiver.
As well, Johnson has also flashed some deep ability this season, something that wasn’t on display as often early in his career. While Claypool has the overall higher upside due to his big-play ability, Johnson is far ahead of him in terms of how he has developed. If he keeps this up, he should have a huge season and be marked as a top threat in the league. He looks like a complete receiver right now and has rebounded in a major way from last season.
Steelers Najee Harris
I said way back when Najee Harris was drafted that in order for the pick to ultimately be worth it, he would need to develop into a Derrick Henry-type player. While he isn’t there (that won’t happen during his rookie season), Harris has flashed some traits that would indicate that he can be that caliber of a player. We have seen him get steadily better each game even though he has not been a primary focus for defenses.
His power is apparent on every play, as he is constantly fighting for more yards and falling forward. His vision has gotten better since his first few weeks as well. Considering the offensive line hasn’t helped him much, he now is far more likely to take whatever hole is open and push the pile for a few extra yards. Add in his receiving ability and Harris has the makings of a complete back.
Assuming the team adds a piece or two to this offensive line next year, Harris can benefit from taking that next step in year two. His development over a six-game period is extremely promising for the future, as he is already a far better pro now than he was. The only thing he needs to do is make some bigger plays in the running game. That should come with a better line though. Harris has looked great so far and has the potential to be an elite running back in the NFL.
Despite the Steelers having a slower start to the season than they would have liked, these six layers have flashed elite ability. While each has some developing to do, all six could realistically be some of the better players at their position sooner than later. These are the players the team will have to build around sooner than later.