Although last week would have been ideal in looking at the top players on the Pittsburgh Steelers based on their overall score by Pro Football Focus, much like peoples opinion of their rankings their website was a little sketchy last week. Now that our subscription has been properly implemented again and all the information is available, here are the top five graded players on defense for the Pittsburgh Steelers based on their overall score.
As I’ve said just about every time I’ve mentioned PFF in an article, it is up to you exactly how you feel about their grading system. Sometimes they are spot on and sometimes they are way off. But rather than get into the debate, I will present you the information and let you decide for yourself.
NOTE: Chris Wormley technically would hold the 5th spot but is still currently on the IR although he did return to practice this week.
Honorable Mention: Cameron Sutton
Overall: 77.1
Position Rank: 7th of 120
Rush Defense: 47.7
Pass Rush: 57.3
Coverage: 80.4
Although he fell out of the top five for the Steelers defense, I felt it necessary to throw the honorable mention to Sutton as he is ranked seventh among all cornerbacks in the NFL who meet the snap requirement. In looking at just coverage, Sutton ranks fourth in the NFL among eligible players.
5. Stephon Tuitt
Overall: 78.7
Position Rank: 14th of 124
Rush Defense: 66.7
Pass Rush: 76.9
Coverage: 60.6
Tuitt has been up and down within his position list throughout the 2020 season. At one point he scored in the top five, but has slipped down to 14th recently. It is actually Tuitt’s score in the running game which has caused him to slip as his pass rushing score is higher than teammate Cam Heyward.
4. Alex Highsmith
Overall: 84.3
Position Rank: N/A of 109
Rush Defense: 70.3
Pass Rush: 62.4
Coverage: 92.2
Although he has not played enough snaps to qualify for a position rank, Highsmith still has a quality overall score which would land him seventh overall within his position group should he break the snap minimum requirement. What has Highsmith’s score so high is he is the highest graded edge defender in the NFL when it comes to pass coverage, and it is by a large margin. With a score of 92.2, the next closest is Uchenna Nwosu at an 84.9 coverage grade.
3. Cameron Heyward
Overall: 89.7
Position Rank: 4th of 124
Rush Defense: 89.9
Pass Rush: 74.8
Coverage: 60.9
Heyward moved into the top five of his position group several weeks ago and has stuck there ever since. It is ultimately Heyward‘s role in run defense which has him in the top of the league as his pass rush score puts him around 15th in the NFL. But it is the Steelers captain’s all-around play which lands him in elite company.
2. Tyson Alualu
Overall: 90.7
Position Rank: 2nd of 124
Rush Defense: 87.7
Pass Rush: 79.0
Coverage: 73.2
For those who may not have realized it, the Steelers missing Tyson Alualu for a couple games was a really big deal. Ranked only behind Aaron Donald when it comes to interior defensive linemen, Alualu has consistently put up great performances even though they are not necessarily flashy when it comes to big plays. More importantly, he is winning his individual matchup on a consistent basis.
1. T.J. Watt
Overall: 92.0
Position Rank: 1st of 109
Rush Defense: 87.8
Pass Rush: 90.8
Coverage: 76.0
Watt comes in not just as the top score on his team but as the top edge defender in the NFL. With only three players scoring in the 90s at the position, Watt leads the way as the top pass rusher and second when it comes to run defense behind Khalil Mack. Seeing T.J. Watt in the top of the league is not a surprise to any true Steelers fan as they know this is where he belongs.
So there are the top five graded defensive players on the Pittsburgh Steelers according to Pro Football Focus. Do you feel the rankings are accurate? Which player is ranked too high or not high enough? Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments below and check out the previous installment of the top rated offensive players on the Steelers.