4 emerging players on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster in 2022

Alex Highsmith carries high expectations from the Steelers

If reports from training camp can be taken as gospel, the defense for the black and gold are going to be good again. The offense will have its warts, but the defense seems to be taking advantage of them in camp. Many probably saw this writing on the wall, but that is a good sign with a defense in flux.

Many starters have departed the club and the defense is what propelled the Steelers into the playoffs last season. They will need to accomplish that feat yet again to have a chance at the postseason. It will take many different players to step up to reach that goal in 2022.

T.J. Watt cannot be the only player consistently applying pressure to the quarterback on the outside. That is where Alex Highsmith comes in and should reap the benefits of Watt being the major focus against opposing offenses. He is now entering year three and this will be the biggest season of his young career.

He had a solid first go of things during his first time as a starter for this club last year. Things should be getting easier for Highsmith heading into the second full season of him playing almost every snap. Coaches are expecting big things from him, and many believe that anything less than a ten sack performance would be disappointing.