The Steelers have some interesting duos at different positions that will make their team better in 2022.
The Steelers expectations to perform at a high level in the 2022 calendar year is at an all-time low. Experts have been questioning the black and gold’s abilities over the past couple of years, but they continuously prove them wrong. One way or another they have found a way to get into the playoffs and stay competitive despite their odds.
This year seems different as the roster has gone through so much change and turnover. All the way from the front office to coaches and the players themselves have seen change. It will be interesting to see how these new faces in the organization can at least hold the standard of staying competitive.
This roster will see as many as eight or so players that will be new starters for this team. There will be many new numbers and names to acquaint yourself with between now and the start of the regular season. These duos have been newly formed, except for a couple, on this list and they will be some of the brighter spots for Pittsburgh.
Their starting guards have a chance at being a dynamic duo
Kevin Dotson will be returning as the starting left guard for the offensive line. He has been dealing with injuries during his short career and needs to find a level of consistency. He can become a great player in the NFL if he can find that balance and stay on the field for the Steelers.
James Daniels will fill in at the other starting spot after signing with the black and gold in free agency. He has been one of the best starting guards in the league since being drafted out of Iowa. These two could fix the run game between the tackles if they can stay healthy.
This safety tandem for the Steelers looks to continue their success
The safety position is one of the best duos in this entire article. These two have been one of the best tandems in the NFL for the last handful of seasons. It has been fun for the fans to watch both starters work together in what seems like a swan song this season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a special player that has done nothing but elevate the defense for the Steelers. He was able to make those around him better and create plays that were missing before he got traded here. He is irreplaceable for this team and that led to him being rewarded with a new contract.
Many did not know if that would get done before the pre-season concluded, but it did. He deserves every dollar as his new deal honors his talents on the field. Terrell Edmunds is in a different boat than his fellow partner in the safety spot.
He is coming back after not finding any big contracts waiting for him during free agency this past offseason. Edmunds has been one of the best strong safeties in the NFL for the last couple of years, but he will need to prove himself again. It will probably be the last season of these two working together, so enjoy it while you can.
Pat Freiermuth and Zach Gentry could remind fans of a past duo at the position
This duo has become a young group that shows a lot of promise for both now and into the future. The Steelers have been dying to find some young tight ends to take over since Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth have left the franchise. They may have found those two individuals with their top two at the position currently.
Pat Freiermuth is coming off one of the best seasons for any rookie to wear the black and gold colors. He was able to stay healthy and produce at a high level, which is putting a lot of expectations on him. Many believe that he can cement himself as a top five player at his position in 2022 if he improves off his rookie campaign.
Zach Gentry is the other player that many have not been paying close attention to. He is a former late-round pick by the Steelers and has come along slowly. It took some time, but he is now their best blocker at the position and provides stability behind Freiermuth.
Pittsburgh may have finally found a nice group of players at the position. They have an all-around player with Freiermuth and another complementary piece with Gentry. It should be fun to see how both improve off their impressive year in 2021.
These two could become the best duo at outside linebacker in franchise history
Now this duo might be one of the best, if not the best, on this list and could get better. These two could be chasing history if they are able to fully unlock each other’s potential in 2022. One player is coming off a historic season and the other is entering his second year of being a full-time starter.
T.J. Watt had a storybook season in 2021 that saw him make one of the most impressive applications for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in history. He tied the record for most sacks in a season by a defensive player in the history of the league during his pursuit of winning the award.
It was truly an impressive season that allowed his team to make the playoffs. The Steelers have always been known for their pass rush abilities and the hope is for this duo to get more rounded out. It will take the second part of this partnership to explode onto the scene in 2022 for that to happen.
Alex Highsmith is the other part of this outside linebacker position for Pittsburgh. He had an impressive first year as the starter opposite of Watt. Many expect him to take it up a notch for the upcoming campaign and hopefully get over double digits in the sack department.
The receiving group has great potential for the Steelers in 2022
This positional group has a bunch of young players that could become stars if they develop right. It will take some time before many questions that surround this position will be answered fully. Many do not know who will be lining up where or what the future holds for the players at the receiver spot.
Diontae Johnson is coming off another solid year that saw him produce good numbers again. He has had different hiccups throughout his career and his contract situation could potentially become a distraction eventually. The Steelers are not looking at extending him currently and he could be gone after the year.
Chase Claypool seems like the other viable option to start on the outside for Pittsburgh, but that could lead to other issues. Perhaps seeing how his size works out in the middle of the offense in the slot role would be best for him. That would make this group a solid trio going forward.
The third receiver in this potential trio could fall into a bunch of different scenarios. Both George Pickens and Calvin Austin III could find playing time during their rookie years. It seems like Pickens could make the push to start on the outside initially if Claypool can play in the slot.
The Steelers have a lot of potential heading into the upcoming schedule. It is going to be tough for this team, but these duos in certain positions will make them a better team.