3 Steelers land in CBS Sports top 100 NFL players

As the season of lists for NFL players continues on in preparation for the 2021 season, the next one up is Pete Prisco‘s top 100 players in the NFL courtesy of CBS Sports. For this list, three members of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been placed in the top 100.

The top member of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the list is outside linebacker NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner up T.J. Watt who comes in at number six overall. Watt is the top edge rusher on the list and the second-highest defender behind only 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald (2).

Here is the brief explanation of placing Watt in the 6th position on the list courtesy of Pete Prisco of CBS Sports:

6 T.J. Watt

PITTSBURGH STEELERS OLB

He led the NFL in sacks with 15 and was the runner-up as Defensive Player of the Year, despite missing one game. He is also a force against the run.

To get to the next member of the Steelers on the list, it was quite the drop. Coming in at number 60 on the list is Steelers two-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Completely left off Prisco‘s list last season, it’s good to see Fitzpatrick finally being represented. He is the fourth safety on the list behind Tyrann Mathieu (34), Buddha Baker (51), and Jesse Bates (58).

Here is Brisco’s breakdown of Fitzpatrick:

60 Minkah Fitzpatrick

PITTSBURGH STEELERS FS

I left him off the list last year, and heard plenty about it. He earned his right to be on the list this season after a slow start in 2020. He is a rangy safety that fits perfectly in the NFL game.

The final member the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers to make this list comes shortly after Fitzpatrick. Defensive Captain Cameron Heyward checks in at number 65 on Brisco’s list. Heyward is the sixth interior defensive lineman on the list behind Aaron Donald (2), Chris Jones (30), Leonard Williams (43), Grady Jarrett (47), and DeForest Buckner (49).

Despite not putting up huge sack totals, Prisco still included Heyward as he described in his breakdown:

65 Cameron Heyward

PITTSBURGH STEELERS DE

His sack numbers fell from nine to four last season, but he still had 19 quarterback hits. He is also a good run player, which is key in their scheme.

After shuffling through the top 100, Prisco also added another 40 players who he claimed were in consideration. Of those players, the only one from the Pittsburgh Steelers was offensive guard David DeCastro.

As Steelers fans scour through these lists seeing how the Black and Gold is represented, it’s nice to see players getting recognized. But just like it is with every one of these lists, what is ultimately more important is to land both on the list, and higher on the list, at the conclusion of the 2021 season.