Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us by means of the offseason, we’ll be using a nearer search at just about every crew in the league, in get of projected 2023 win totals. Up future: the Steelers.
The Steelers’ 2023 roster is designed like most teams in the Mike Tomlin period: with a dominant defense and a well balanced offensive assault.
Pittsburgh will need to have the defense to be a particular device, with the AFC North that includes a few star quarterbacks in the Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Browns’ Deshaun Watson and Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.
With Kenny Pickett as an unproven setting up quarterback, lots of pundits are projecting the Steelers to end very last in their competitive division—something that has under no circumstances took place in the course of Tomlin’s 16 seasons in Pittsburgh. The crew hasn’t had a shedding file, both Tomlin has the longest latest streak in the NFL for most seasons as a head mentor devoid of a person.
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The Steelers really do not appear to be a last-area crew with a defense that characteristics T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick. They also included veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson and rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a second-round choose.
The offense also has playmakers with running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freiermuth and extensive receivers Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson and George Pickens. But for the Steelers to prevent the division’s basement, they are also going to require Pickett, the 2022 to start with-spherical decide on, to ascend in his next time.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Getting Pickett’s rookie flashes
Judging from Pickett’s body of operate from his rookie year, it is honest to marvel why the Steelers appeared material with creating him QB1 in 2023 without the need of any opposition this summer. Pickett experienced a subpar stat line of 2,404 passing yards with 7 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and he averaged a lackluster 6.18 yards for each endeavor in 12 commences final time. But Tomlin is all about wins and losses, and the Steelers gained six of their final sevens game titles in ’22 with Pickett as the starter. Pickett also exhibited, at situations, that he can be extra than a activity manager. In accordance to Professional Football Target, Pickett experienced the second-greatest passing quality from Months 12 to 18, at the rear of only Burrow. Now Pickett will require to place collectively a regular Calendar year 2 (with an uptick in yards per endeavor) to definitely verify he can be a franchise quarterback in Pittsburgh.
Toughest stretch of the period: Weeks 16 to 18
The Steelers have a wonderful stability of winnable and challenging game titles throughout their 2023 schedule, but the remaining a few matchups may well give them difficulty, in particular if they’re fighting for a playoff spot. In Week 16, the Steelers host Burrow and the Bengals, which could potentially be a important recreation for the AFC North standings. Pittsburgh will then finish the standard period with back-to-back again street video games in Seattle and Baltimore. The Seahawks could possibly be one of the better groups in the league with the noteworthy moves they produced in the offseason, and the very same can be stated of Jackson and the Ravens, who welcomed Odell Beckham Jr. in March.
Breakout participant to check out: WR George Pickens
Pickens did not have a 1,000-property getting period like fellow rookie wideouts Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, but he could have experienced the reception of the yr in 2022. Pickens created a diving one particular-handed catch vs. the Browns in Week 3, which resembled Beckham’s memorable one particular from ’14. That was just one of lots of acrobatic catches from Pickens last season, and there could be a lot a lot more in his 2nd year if he and Pickett are capable to increase the Steelers’ passing match. Pickens, a ’22 2nd-spherical choose, concluded final season with 52 catches for 801 yards and four touchdowns.
Placement of energy: Edge rusher
The Steelers skipped Watt down the stretch very last year, but it was an chance for Alex Highsmith, who notched a occupation-substantial 14.5 sacks, to demonstrate he can handle currently being a No. 1 edge rusher. Now with a balanced Watt and the rising Highsmith, the Steelers could have one particular of the best move-rushing duos in the league. Watt recorded only five sacks immediately after sitting down out the ultimate seven game titles due to harm, but it wasn’t that long back that he experienced 22.5 sacks and gained Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2021.
Placement of weakness: Offensive line
The Steelers should be banking on initial-spherical rookie Broderick Jones to have a rapid commence as the starting off remaining tackle, supplied that there’s a great deal of uncertainty across the offensive line. Center Mason Cole, guard James Daniels and ideal tackle Chukwuma Okorafor struggled as starters in 2022, which led to a lackluster speeding assault. Pittsburgh also extra guard Isaac Seumalo in free of charge agency for reinforcements.
X-issue: RB Najee Harris
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Talking of the bad hurrying attack, Harris voiced aggravation with his team’s operate blocking last season, which contributed to his disappointing 3.8 yards per carry and drop-off in dashing yards last period. (Harris went from 1,200 hurrying yards as a rookie to 1,034 in his 2nd year.) But the Steelers are heading to need the running back again to obtain approaches to make performs, regardless of how the offensive line performs. If Harris just can’t generate his individual running lanes, he may possibly will need to do additional in the passing game, with only 41 catches for 229 yards and three touchdowns past season.
Sleeper fantasy pick: WR George Pickens
Pickens showed flashes as a rookie. While his ordinary of 9.8 factors for every sport was not eye popping, some of his spotlight-reel catches definitely had been. With a yr of experience and an clear rapport with Pickett, Pickens could be far superior than his draft position would counsel. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Ideal wager: Get the around on Najee Harris’s 975.5 speeding yards.
The volume will even now be there for the managing again who rushed for 1,000-moreover yards in just about every of his first two seasons. Harris rated sixth in opportunity share and eighth in complete touches in 2023. Anticipate much more of the exact same. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
Ultimate record: 10–7, 3rd in AFC North
