2022 Steelers preview

by Djsteelcity412 | 3 years ago | 0 Comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going all in this year. They have to, right? If this is Ben Roethlisberger's last ride even as the backup, this team's only option is to give their future HOF quarterback everything they've got. And, so far, they have. The Steelers have made move after move to clean up the worrisome areas of their roster. They went out and signed Trey Flowers, Anthony Brown and All Pro Jordan Poyer, to bolster a secondary led by Defensive Player of the year Minkah Fitzpatrick. It's pretty clear they know that Defense gives them the best chance to win a Super Bowl. While plenty of eyes remain on the future and whether or not Jameis Winstin can be the right successor of Roethlisberger, the Steelers are focused on now. Signing Winston gives the Steelers a competent starter that is still young and poised to hit his prime as a Steeler. Offense The Steelers' offense will be defined by their offensive line. Protecting Ben and opening holes for Najee Harris proved problematic at times particularly at the tackle spots so the Steelers signed veterans Donavan Smith who is ranked #25 at LT in the league according to PFF and Mitchell Schwartz who ranks #16 at RT. The message is that this team is determined to keep the running game on track and to protect the quarterback. Unfortunately, 2 new starters on the line at the tackle spots leaves a pretty big question mark as to whether or not they'll be able to pull it off. With Winston at QB1 the Steelers have done everything they can to keep this team as big of a contender as possible. Why not? With a depleted No. 7 the Steelers took the eventual SB winner Titans to the limit in the divisonal round. The thinking is they were a play or two away from AFCCG. Winston has some big options through the air. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington could very well be the best wide receiving corps in the NFL. Add FA acquisition Dallas Goedart and 2nd yr Pat Freiermuth to that mix, and Pittsburgh has themselves a sure-fire air attack - on paper. You could even expect to see fullback Derek Watt in the mix. No, not T.J., Derek. Offensive coordinator Victor Price has made plenty of changes to this scheme, but the one that could catch people by surprise is the use of a fullback. Watt could be featured in the backfield, at halfback and at tight end. The offense will miss Eric Ebron (Chargers) and running back Kalen Ballage (FA). Both held prominent roles in this offense. Both will leave major gaps in their absence. Defense It's all about T.J. Watt, right? Maybe not, but that's definitely where it starts when you're talking about the Steelers' defense. Watt is walking into a season where he's finished as a Defensive Player of the Year finalist twice. This past season, even if he won't admit it, you can tell it bugged him when fellow teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick was given the award. This defense is going to help him pull that award in in 2022. Offenses can try as much as they want to put extra coverage on the edge rusher, but they'll then have to deal with Alex Highsmith - who looks like a new and improved version of. Melvin Ingram who left via FA. And this is all before you mention the veterans who have already been there. Cameron Heyward knows his clock is ticking and he wants to win a Super Bowl. Stephon Tuitt who put in alot of work this offseason and is expected to explode on the scene. Tyson Alualu retired, the Steelers signed DJ Jones and drafted Corey Staton in the 2nd round from Nebraska these two are key piece to the middle of this defense. This group might make the best front seven in football. In the secondary, there are always concerns at cornerback but this year the Steelers were aggressive in FA signing Trey Flowers and Anthony Brown and drafting Mack Woods from Notre Dame. Cam Sutton and Ankello Witherspoon will start the season as 1 and 2 on the depth chart but expect Flowers and Brown to push them. Between his Madden 23 rating and his placement on the NFL Top 100, and DPOY award and a record 21 picks last season Minkah Fitzpatrick has enough motivation to last a lifetime, let alone a season. The three-time All-Pro should make it four in 2022. Jordan Poyer is a potential question mark for this secondary. Teaming him with Minkah could help him blossom into what he was expected to be in Buff. With no guarantee on his future, he could be looking to make a splash this season. Last years starter Terrell Edmunds has not yet lived up to his 1st round draft status in the eyes of the Steelers FO or the fans. He has flashed brilliance and disappointment his career...this is likely his last chance. Predicted Record 11-6 The Steelers have one the NFL's toughest strength of schedule, which won't make it easy to come out of 2022 with a winning record. That being said, it's the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defense is still one of the league's best and The Offense should be explosive with Winston and Najee Don't let their concerns overshadow the bright spots of this team.