Analysis: Fate of Steelers defense could depend on play of newcomers
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The familiar faces are back for the Pittsburgh Steelers on defense.
There is Cameron Heyward anchoring the defensive line. T.J. Watt returns at outside linebacker trying to get back into the NFL Defensive Player of the year conversation. Minkah Fitzpatrick will patrol a secondary that helped the Steelers tie for the NFL lead in interceptions a year ago.
All are All-Pro talents. All represent the core of the defense.
And all need some help at their level of the defense — line, linebacker and secondary — if the Steelers are to become an elite unit.
The Steelers finished tied for 10th last season in points allowed and were No. 13 in yardage. They improved from No. 32 to No. 9 in stopping the run.
Any further improvements the Steelers might make this year likely will rest on the success of the newcomers added in the offseason.
When the ball is teed up Sept. 10 against San Francisco, the Steelers could have five new starters among the 12 (counting nickel corner) that will play prominent roles on defense. Those include two starters (and three free agents signed) at inside linebacker, a rookie at cornerback, a former All-Pro trying to extend his career in the slot and a replacement for Terrell Edmunds at free safety.
How those players mesh with the holdovers could make — or break — the Steelers’ season on defense.
Three things that could improve the defense:
1. Return of Blitzburgh
After leading the NFL in sacks for five consecutive seasons and topping 50 each season, the Steelers regressed to the middle of the pack. With Watt shelved for much of the first half, the Steelers totaled 40 for the season, which tied for No. 14 in the league.
The key, of course, is keeping Watt healthy for the entire year, and his snap count was limited in the preseason to keep him fresh. His presence benefits Alex Highsmith, who had a career year with 14.5 sacks and is intent on proving he wasn’t a one-year wonder.
Fourth-round pick Nick Herbig sizzled in the preseason and will provide depth at outside linebacker, along with veteran Markus Golden. If the defensive line does its part and applies the necessary pressure, the Steelers could return to the top of the sacks list.
2. Getting it done inside
No position underwent a greater makeover than at inside linebacker. The Steelers elected not to pursue Devin Bush and Robert Spillane in free agency and then cut Myles Jack. Replacing them are veterans Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander, the latter coming aboard early in training camp.
Based on preseason usage, Holcomb figures to be a three-down linebacker, with Roberts providing run support and Alexander being mixed in when needed. All three looked strong during exhibition play.
The true test will come when it’s time for an inside linebacker to pursue a running back or tight end in pass coverage. That has been an ongoing weakness in the middle of the defense. The Steelers think they’ve got the formula to correct that deficiency.
3. Shutting it down at corner
The Steelers were surprised when Joey Porter Jr. slipped out of the first round, and he was the reason they resisted temptation to trade the first pick of Round 2. Porter appears to be in line to start the opener at left outside corner, a move that would push Patrick Peterson inside.
At the least, Porter has shown he deserves his share of snaps in the secondary. If Porter is ready to play, he would give the Steelers a true shutdown corner given his 6-foot-2 frame and long arms that he uses to deflect passes.
In the preseason, Porter also showed he could hold onto the ball when thrown his way. That was a concern when he left Penn State with one career interception.
Three things that could derail the defense:
1. Age, injuries catch up to D-line
The Steelers signed Larry Ogunjobi last season after Stephon Tuitt’s sudden retirement. Ogunjobi was coming off a foot injury that had required surgery and limited his practice participation and impact on the line throughout the year.
In training camp, Ogunjobi proclaimed to be better than ever. Then, he got hurt on the eve of the preseason opener and didn’t appear in a game. That’s not a good start for a line whose other established veteran is 34 years old. Heyward kept producing last year, No. 12 in the NFL, when he accumulated 10.5 sacks while playing in every game.
Heyward was limited in the preseason, and that was by design. The Steelers keep fortifying the defensive line with young players: Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk. The key, however, is keeping the starters healthy, and that begins with Ogunjobi and Heyward.
2. Disarray in the slot
Cameron Sutton’s departure in free agency created a void at the nickel cornerback spot, where he would line up on obvious passing downs. The Steelers then released disgruntled corner Arthur Maulet, who was efficient in the slot in run situations.
The Steelers attacked the issue with quantity, signing Chandon Sullivan in free agency and having him compete with Elijah Riley. They also plan to use Peterson in the slot even though he has very little experience playing the position. As a backup plan, the Steelers signed Desmond King after he was released by the Houston Texans.
Peterson figures to get the first shot inside — provided Porter Jr. is ready to start on the outside. How Peterson fares at age 33 will determine whether the Steelers have a revolving door at the position.
3. Trouble on the outside
At first blush, the drafting of Porter figured to impact cornerback Levi Wallace, who made just nine starts last year in his first season with the Steelers. Wallace primarily played on the left side last season, but he moved over to right corner — his preferred spot — when the Steelers signed Peterson in free agency.
By using Porter and Peterson on the left side during training camp, the Steelers showed their faith in Wallace as a starter. Wallace did chip in with four interceptions last season. However, one lasting memory occurred when he was burned for a 98-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Davis in his return to Buffalo.
The Steelers are gambling on Wallace being the answer at one cornerback spot. Depth is an issue where the backups are James Pierre, who struggled in coverage during the preseason, and the newly signed King.