PFF shows love to trio of underrated Steelers after sneaky-good Week 2 performances

There are certain Steelers players we come to expect big performances from each week. T.J. Watt is at the top of the list, as the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is routinely one of the most dominant defensive performances around the NFL. Pittsburgh also turns to players like Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Alex Highsmith for consistency week in and week out.

This week, however, a few less popular Steelers are earning praise. Pro Football Focus charted every snap of each player on Pittsburgh's roster in Week 2 and their formula determined overall grades against the Broncos.

Leading the charge were offensive guard James Daniels, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, and tight end Darnell Washington.

Each of these players earned a grade above 88.0 for their stellar performances in Denver on Sunday. Daniels has been a stable presence on the offensive line since joining the team during the 2023 offseason, while Benton is looking for a breakout year.

Meanwhile, Washington is coming off a career performance after dominating as a run blocker and catching a back-shoulder fade for a touchdown in the first quarter.

All signs suggest that this is just the beginning for some of the Steelers' most underrated players.

Steelers should consider James Daniels extension

With the offensive guard market blowing up during the 2024 offseason, it's been quietly rumored that Pittsburgh will let James Daniels play out his contract and walk in free agency next offseason. However, if the veteran guard keeps playing like this, the Steelers might want to hang onto him.

Daniels is currently the third-highest-ranked guard in the NFL, according to PFF, and he turned 27 years old just before Pittsburgh's Week 2 contest against the Broncos.

If it's money the Steelers are concerned about, they could elect to save over $7.8 million in 2025 by releasing veteran OG Isaac Seumalo. Seumalo has been dealing with a pectoral injury this year and will be 32 years old during the 2025 season.

With the money saved, Pittsburgh could invest back into the future of the offensive line, and Daniels could be around for a long time.

Last year, Kevin Dotson ended up having a phenomenal season with the LA Rams -- grading out as the second-best guard in the NFL in 2023. He showed that he just needed more time to break out.

Perhaps Arthur Smith was the missing piece Daniels needed to take the next step in his game. If he plays like this throughout the year, the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider forking up a lofty contract extension to keep him around in 2025 and beyond.