Interior defensive line: Lots of questions after Heyward
Cameron Heyward: Heyward is easily in a tier of his own among an otherwise suspect interior defensive line. The Steelers will rely on their longest-tenured player for another huge role in 2023, and he has shown no signs of slowing down in his old age.
Larry Ogunjobi: Coming off a disappointing 2022 season, Ogunjobi really needs to step up his game if he is to live up to the three-year, $28.75 million contract extension he signed this offseason. The veteran needs to give them more as an interior pass rusher. Ogunjobi played banged up at times, so he could be in for a bounce-back season in 2023.
Keeanu Benton: Pittsburgh's original second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft could play a big role as the starting nose tackle in year one. Benton was a well-rounded player at Wisconsin who could be thrown into the fire from the gate.
DeMarvin Leal: The Steelers have yet to clarify a real role for DeMarvin Leal as he enters his second NFL season. He played both edge defender and interior defensive line when healthy last season, but his best role would be as a situational interior pass rusher. That's where Pittsburgh may plug him in this year.
Armon Watts: Watts was underwhelming on the Bears' defense last year, but the veteran defensive lineman does have the ideal size and length to hold up as a base 3-4 end in Pittsburgh's odd fronts. Watts could be a rotational player and insurance policy in 2023.
Breiden Fehoko: Fehoko is the only true-nose tackle on the team, in terms of his skill set and physical makeup. He struggled on the Chargers in 2022 and doesn't offer much versatility along the defensive line, but he can take snaps at 0-tech and 1-tech on early downs for the Steelers.
Isaiahh Loudermilk: Despite being a former fifth-round draft pick, Loudermilk could be an odd man out along the defensive line if he doesn't show enough improvement in his third Steelers training camp. Loudermilk has the size to be a base 3-4 end, but he's not sudden as a pass rusher. A big year-three leap could determine his career path.
Montravius Adams: The veteran defensive tackle played out of necessity more than anything else last season, and he wasn't much better than a struggling Tyson Alualu. The Steelers could save some money by cutting Adams. He's got an uphill battle for a roster spot at this point. J
James Nyamwaya: The Merrimack College standout has good size (6'5'', 305 lbs) and decent enough athletic traits, but the transition to the NFL could be tough. He's on the outside looking in and will need a strong training camp to warrant practice squad consideration.
Jonathan Marshall: The big defensive tackle has bounced around a bit, but has yet to take a snap in the NFL. His chances of carving out a path in the NFL are diminishing and this could be his last shot at making his presence felt.
Manny Jones: Jones has appeared in four NFL games with the Arizona Cardinals, but his severe size limitations (6'4'', 290 lbs) make him an awkward fit along Pittsburgh's defensive line. He's a long shot to make the roster.