The Steelers roster has been reconstructed, and these three players appear to be poised to break out as a result.
The Steelers had one of the busier offseasons in recent memory, as they aggressively attacked their needs in free agency and in the draft. As a result, there are some players who are poised to break out for the team. No matter the circumstances, these three Steelers have serious breakout potential for the 2022 season.
Steelers Highsmith
Alex Highsmith was on a lot of breakout lists last season, and while he had a good season overall, he struggled early in the season to make a huge impact. His slow start and lingering injury inhibited him from truly breaking out. That said, he put up a respectable six sacks and provided a consistent level of pass rush.
This year is really taking shape for Highsmith to thrive though. He is entering his third season after making the transition from a smaller school and he should be playing behind an even better defensive line. Tyson Alualu is set to return and Stephon Tuitt may also make his return, meaning that this defensive line grouping may take even more pressure off of Highsmith.
The best aspect of Highsmith though is his pass-rushing skill set. He uses a wide variety of moves to make an impact. He still struggles with power moves, but beyond that, Highsmith is skilled at getting after the quarterback. This defense is shaping up to be a great opportunity for Highsmith. He should see a plethora of single teams and as a result, don’t be surprised to see him thrive in 2022.