5 Steelers who desperately need to develop in the 2022 offseason

Steelers Tre Norwood

Another former rookie from the 2021 class, Tre Norwood was a surprisingly solid defensive back despite being a seventh-round pick. While a seventh-round pick with little expectations, Norwood actually saw starter snaps as a slot and dime defender. He had his ups and downs, but by season’s end, he was a valuable coverage option in the slot.

The issue with Norwood doesn’t lie in his ability to time routes and cover a receiver. Instead, it’s his physicality at the line that he needs to work on. The Steelers like their slot defenders to be good run defenders akin to Mike Hilton and then Arthur Maulet last season. Norwood isn’t that, as he is a smaller player that struggles when tasked with stopping the run. If he doesn’t make the necessary improvements there, he will once again have to split starting snaps there in 2022.

The slot cornerback position is wide open for the Steelers, and unless Cameron Sutton retakes that role, Norwood should be the early favorite to start there. That said, if he can’t become a more physical defender, he won’t be the only person playing there in 2022. Norwood has a chance to establish himself as a true starter next season. This offseason has to be dedicated to adding some bulk and getting better at stopping the run in order to do so.