The Steelers still have a solid roster in 2022 and these ten are the top talents on the club.
Not much is expected from the Steelers in 2022 and it is a fair expectation. There is no secure quarterback that is a slam dunk franchise guy, but they have a lot of talent on this team. These players that made this list should be able to keep the black and gold in competition for many years to come.
This will not be a Super Bowl season for Pittsburgh, but they are something that could surprise people. They have some big names on both sides of the ball and some players that are out to prove the doubters wrong. Some even are looking for new contracts and that normally brings the best out of a player.
This is a young team overall with little experience, especially in certain instances. They are still growing as a team, but they could turn into something special with the correct teaching. This franchise is built off consistency and that will hopefully continue in 2022.
10: Dan Moore Jr. cracks the list for the Steelers
Dan Moore Jr. might be a shock to some for cracking the last spot on this list. He made the cut-over players like Ahkello Witherspoon and Chase Claypool with how he played at the tail end of last year. He was one of the best-ranked tackles in the NFL for his play towards the end of last season and that was promising for a rookie.
He does not go up against easy competition in the AFC North, but he held his own. It took a little bit until he finally caught onto the competition during his initial learning curve. He finally got past that and started to become the offensive line’s best player in 2021.
9: Terrell Edmunds is has been better than most think
Terrell Edmunds has gotten a lot of scrutiny ever since he was over-drafted in 2018. That was a reach then, but this player has panned out nicely for the Steelers since being taken 28th overall. He has become a consistent starter for the team and has rarely missed any game time due to injury.
Most of his flaws seemed to slow down once he got a safety partner next to him who really knew the game. Minkah Fitzpatrick changed the dynamics of the secondary for the black and gold. Edmunds felt those shock waves change the course of his career and that created a nice comeback for his level of play.
Now all of this is being said without addressing some of the issues in his game. He does have some moments that lead you to desire more, and that is why Pittsburgh seems to be neglecting a long-term contract with this player at the moment. Edmunds was brought back on a one-year deal for a cheap rate when compared to his fellow starting safeties around the NFL.
This is an athletic prospect that turned into one of the top strong safeties in the league. He developed nicely since coming out of Virginia Tech and helped create a reliable tandem in the secondary. That is what led to this player being one of the top players on this roster.
8: James Daniels makes an immediate impact on the offensive line
The offensive line was a major focus for the black and gold heading into the offseason. They were coming off a group that seemed to be thrown together in 2021 that did not work out too well. That group was one of the worst in football, despite having some promising young players at a couple of positions.
Free agency came around and the Steelers decided to invest some money into the offensive trenches. Mason Cole was one addition that provides position flexibility and competition across the interior of the offensive line. One of the most notable signings of the offseason was James Daniels.
This player brings many different qualities along with him that attracted Pittsburgh. He has position flexibility, although he will be a starting guard for this club. He also provides leadership and gives a big boost to the experience department.
It was a good contract that this franchise offered to this player, and he should help stabilize this front. It is a young group, but it looks to be finally moving in the right direction. They are getting good players that are young and will continue to get better going forward. Daniels is one of the better players on this team as he brings size and athletic ability with him at just 24 years old.
7: Myles Jack could become a difference-maker at linebacker
Myles Jack was another big-name free agent that joined the Steelers after the Jaguars surprisingly cut him. It did not take Mike Tomlin long before he got on the phone to try and get this linebacker to come to Pittsburgh. That pitch worked quick, and this free agent would sign a two-year deal with the black and gold.
He comes to the team with his career in a state of limbo now. His career is not as highly thought of as it used to be during the impressive years with the special Jaguars defenses. Individually, this player has seen his stats go down, but he has a great chance to bounce back now.
Jack has all the tools to get where he used to be in his career. Two solid back-to-back seasons in Pittsburgh could lead to a giant pay raise in the future. He noticed that the supporting cast around him is one of the best in the league.
This linebacker is one of the most athletic in the game and could really make a statement for the Steelers. They have been searching for someone like him ever since Ryan Shazier had his career cut short with an injury. This is an overlooked addition to the team but could be a steal if he returns to form.
6: Pat Freiermuth could be a main target for these new quarterbacks
Pat Freiermuth had one of the best seasons by any tight end in Steelers history. He accomplished a lot during his rookie year, and many expect him to take a leap forward as he gets ready for the second time around. He was impressive and now different weapons on offense could lead to different looks that will go his way.
There are two potential starters at quarterback that will be potentially throwing to this tight end this season. Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky do like to use his position as a safety blanket when they play so that should be music to this player’s ears. That will lead to many more passes coming in his direction.
That alone will get this player higher stats when it is all said and done. He proved that he could make all the catches thrown in his direction. No matter if the pass coming toward him is good or bad, he will find a way to reel it in.
It has been a solid start to this player’s career, and it seems like the best days are still in front of him. His blocking could still get better and that would only cement his status in the NFL as one of the best tight ends in the league even more. There is a bright future between Freiermuth and the Steelers that will be fun to watch.
5: Diontae Johnson will have a huge year as he searches for a new contract
Diontae Johnson is one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL. Not too many outside of the Steelers organization has taken notice of this receiver, but some might start paying closer attention. He is a free agent at the conclusion of this year and could sign elsewhere if the black and gold do not lock him up before the season begins.
He is a special player that can create space for himself in a variety of ways. He has gotten better every year that he has played in the league. His role has grown all the way to the top target for this offense and that should get him a nice payday when it is all said and done. Fans complain about his drop rate, and that was a fair argument over much of his career.
Last season, Johnson cleaned up the drops and was one of the best for not dropping passes. He did have some hiccups along the way, but this player deserves a new contract, and some other team will give him that if Pittsburgh does not. He will be out to prove something in 2022 so his money bag that he secures is bigger than its current projection if he is not re-signed before the season.
There are a bunch of receivers on this offense, plus tight end and a star running back that could take away some of his targets. His ability to get open will keep his stats up and show why he is one of the top players on this roster. This receiver will make life a little bit easier for whichever quarterback takes the field.
4: Najee Harris should have a better season with a better line in front
Najee Harris is coming off a great rookie season considering the type of offensive line that he had blocking for him. He was able to push through and get as many yards as possible every time he got handed the ball. It was a good season and now the team will likely look to him to help set the pace on offense for the Steelers.
2022 will be a unique time as the offense will be full go under Matt Canada. Harris seems like he will have a gigantic role in that system as the quarterbacks figure out positioning and continue to learn the offense. Getting this back the ball will be something that should get called upon more to lean on despite the rushing offense being in a state of struggle for a while now.
A new revamped offensive line seems like it should be able to make this Alabama product’s life a lot easier. There have been different starters and competition brought in to create a better product in the trenches. That upgrade should create an even better season for Harris.
This club is relying on him a lot and there are no other backs that could even come close to his talent level. He is the top back and will likely have to carry the bulk of carries like last year. He is vital to this offense. If he runs well then that will open things for the passing attack.
3: Minkah Fitzpatrick will continue to be one of the best safeties in football
Minkah Fitzpatrick has not been getting enough attention as training camp inches closer. He is up for a contract extension and that seems like the first big task for newly hired, Omar Khan. He was just named General manager and now his honeymoon will have to end soon with the new job and get to work on paying one of the best safeties in football.
That contract will cost the Steelers a pretty penny, but it will be well worth it as the secondary got more stable since adding Fitzpatrick. Not a bunch of media attention has been focused on this player since last season possibly because his number of turnovers were not as wonderful as in previous times. He is still one of the most feared at when opposing offenses go up against him.
This will be a big year for him as he looks to become the highest-paid player at his position. The franchise usually keeps a rule of not negotiating in season so this could get hairy if the club cannot secure an extension before the regular schedule begins. That should not happen and will hopefully be done sooner rather than later.
Expect a similar situation play out just like T.J. Watt happened last year and everything should be done soon. Pen will be put to paper with Fitzpatrick staying in the black and gold for many more years to come. He has been the best safety since Troy Polamalu graced the fields in Pittsburgh.
2: Cam Heyward will be the leader of this team and stay away from father time
Cam Heyward has become one of the best defensive linemen in Steelers history. That is a big statement, but it is one filled with truth. He is a hard-working individual that comes to work every day with pride and his head down ready to improve for the betterment of the team.
He has also been one of the best leaders that this team has seen in quite some time. He dominates on the field and is starting to get some recognition across the NFL. He has no stop in his game and continues to destroy his competition on a continuous basis.
This player was the main defensive foe that many offenses would worry about before T.J. Watt came to town. Now they must worry about both, on top of other talented players. He has been named to many different individual accolades, but he will always be shooting to get Pittsburgh a Super Bowl.
Age is still getting up there for Heyward even though he has not shown any signs of slowing down. He is now the sole leader in this locker room after Ben Roethlisberger retired. It is his team now to help carry everything forward with tradition and hopefully success into the future.
1: T.J. Watt stands alone as the best player on this roster
This seemed too obvious that it should not be a surprise for any fans reading this. He is the best player on the roster, and it is not close. He is coming off being named Defensive Player of the year and could repeat in 2022.
He broke a record last season for most sacks in a season, despite missing some time. He could be gunning for some more awards even though he is on record saying that he only wants to win Super Bowls. That might not be a totally realistic possibility for this club for this year, but Watt will do his best to accomplish that.
You would have to imagine that he wants to at least tie or bypass his brother J.J. Watt with Defensive player of the year awards. That seems like a reasonable goal that could come true with his current pace. Another wild stat is that Watt could become the Steelers all-time sack leader this season.
It has been one of the best-valued draft picks by Kevin Colbert when Watt fell to them in the late portion of the first round in 2017. He has done nothing but get better and dominate the competition in this league. He will be a Hall of Famer even if he slows down a little bit.
The Steelers will have bumps in the road when it comes to the 2022 season. They do have talented players that should be able to help lift this team in competitive games.