With the Steelers now prepping for the next season, here are five names that could realistically become superstars next season.
The Steelers have constructed a very new roster, and a lot of their former star power is no longer with the team. This means that some of their current players will have to step up and become stars for the team.
There are quite a few players that could conceivably make that jump though. Here are the five most likely Steelers that could become superstars in 2022.
Steelers superstar #5
A name that was a surprise all around during his rookie season, Dan Moore went from developmental fourth-round pick to starting left tackle before week one. At the beginning of the season, things looked bleak for Moore, as he was constantly overmatched. As the season progressed though, so did Moore. By the end of the year, he was regularly holding his own every week.
Things should only get better for Moore as well. He will have a full season of training and development under his belt. Expect his power to be better as well as what his expectations are every week. He knows what it is like to be a starter; now he has to continue growing into that role.
This line is a relatively new group, but that shouldn’t prevent Moore from becoming a good player. I believe if he has truly taken the proper time to focus on his craft, Moore could be a dark horse to be the best lineman on this roster. There is a real chance for him to become much more than average once this season begins.
Steelers superstar #4
A name that was a regular on most people’s potential superstars from last season, Alex Highsmith turned in a good-not-great season for the Steelers. While he did step into a full-time role in only his second season, he had a relatively slow start to the season that culminated in a mediocre stat line. His final few weeks made him look like a different player though, and there is hope for him to get better.
Heading into his third season, Highsmith should still be seen as a player on the rise. Frankly, this season will likely set the tone for what his career will become. While a good starter, he still greatly benefits from playing across from T.J. Watt. While that became less of an issue as the season went on, 2022 needs to be the year he separates himself.
Like last year, I have high hopes that Highsmith can become a star for this defense. He is an intelligent pass rusher with a wide variety of moves already. Assuming he continues where he left off in 2021, there is reason to believe that he will become an impact player for this defense. Don’t be surprised when Highsmith becomes a hot name once again for a potential breakout.
Steelers superstar #3
Chase Claypool started his Steelers career on a high note, becoming an impact receiver and playmaker for this team. Expectations were high for him last year, but he ended up being a disappointment. His stats essentially stayed the same (minus his scores, which heavily regressed). On top of this, he struggled with weekly inconsistencies and maturity issues.
While there is still time for Claypool to right the ship, 2022 will likely be a pivotal season for him. He will be in a new offense that should play to his strengths more. As well, he is now the de facto second option behind Diontae Johnson. He needs to emulate his rookie self more as well as become a more consistent player altogether.
On the plus side, you did see Claypool start to come around later last season. His maturity seemed to improve, and his play was more consistent. If he can put everything together, there is no reason he can’t be great for the Steelers. He has to pick up where he left off and look to improve himself from there. If he can though, the sky is the limit for him on this offense.
Steelers superstar #2
The Steelers cornerback room is in a weird spot heading into this season. The team has a trio of talented starters, but none of them are proven top options in the league. While he has proven to be inconsistent as a defender, there is a good argument that Ahkello Witherspoon is the most talented player of the bunch.
While it took him a while to see the field, Witherspoon took the starting job and ran with it once he was a regular on the defense. There is little question that he was the Steelers best cornerback over the final stretch of games in 2021. He flashed the ability to be a top cornerback, and it seems as though this defense ay be counting on that in 2022.
If Witherspoon picks up where he left off last season, he could quickly cement himself as a name on the rise. He has the size and athleticism to be a huge contributor in the secondary and he flashed the ability to create turnovers last year. While he will have to be more consistent, don’t be surprised if Witherspoon makes a jump this season and becomes a star for this defense.
Steelers superstar #1
There is no player on this roster that I genuinely think has better odds at becoming a superstar this season than Pat Freiermuth. The second-round pick from a year ago was far better than anyone expected him to be. He was a rookie in a notoriously tough position to transition into coming off a battered final year in college. Yet, by the end of the season, he was a great safety valve and red zone threat.
Tight ends typically take a leap during their second year in the league. There is little reason to believe that Freiermuth won’t follow suit. He should continue to serve as the safety valve for this offense. As well, the expectation is for some new concepts and deeper routes to highlight this offense in 2022. On top of this, Freiermuth will have a full offseason to get stronger and more comfortable in his role.
There is a real chance that Freiermuth is seen as a top-five tight end by season’s end if he keeps up his current trajectory. At the bare minimum, he should still be seen as a better starter than what the majority of teams in the NFL will field. He has some limitations to his game, sure, but his ability makes him a real threat to become one of the top tight ends in the league by the time this season wraps up.
The Steelers need some new faces to step up as stars for this team. While there are quite a few names that could conceivably fill this void, these five players seem like the most likely options. Don’t be surprised to see them turn into stars this season because of their potential.