Steelers Players to Watch: Week 13 vs Cardinals

by James Layton

The Steelers are coming into this game with a 7-4 record and the healthiest they have been this season. It’s going to be interesting to see if they can continue to what they did on offense against the Bengals last week. Which looked to be one of Kenny Pickett’s best game of his career.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 22 Najee Harris, RB
  • 30 Jaylen Warren, RB
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 19 Calvin Austin, WR
  • 88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 77 Broderick Jones, OT
  • 65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
  • 78 James Daniels, G

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 99 Larry Ogunjobe, DE
  • 97 Cam Heyward, DT
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 38 Mykal Walker, ILB
  • 93 Mark Robinson, ILB
  • 56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
  • 29 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 20 Patrick Peterson, CB
  • 39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 12 @ Bengals

by James Layton

It’s another tough AFC North matchup for the Steelers, but they have some good news going into this game. They finally don’t have Matt Canada as the Offensive Coordinator.

The Steelers are coming into this game with playoff hopes alive and in the hunt for the division. It’s going to be interesting to see what the offense is going be with Quarterbacks Coach Mike Sullivan as the play caller.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 30 Jaylen Warren, RB
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 18 Diontae Johnson, WR
  • 11 Allen Robinson, WR
  • 88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 77 Broderick Jones, OT
  • 65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
  • 73 Isaac Seumalo, G

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 97 Cam Heyward, DT
  • 98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • 56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
  • 38 Mykal Walker, ILB
  • 50 Elandon Roberts, ILB
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 17 Trenton Thompson, FS
  • 23 Damontae Kazee, SS

Special Teams

  • Pressley Harvin III, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 10 vs. Packers

by James Layton

The Steelers are coming into this second in the division, with a record of 5-3. Somehow, they keep finding a way to win and the look to continue to do that this week against a new look Packers team.

The Packers are coming into Pittsburgh after beating a bad Rams team. Jordan Love and the offense are going to be a test for this defense that has trouble stopping teams that should be an easy game.

Kenny Pickett and this offense needs to control the time of possession in this game, the defense doesn’t need to be on the field more than the offense. One way to do this is to get the run game going right away, they need to get Najee and Jaylen Warren going early.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 22 Najee Harris, RB
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 19 Calvin Austin III, WR
  • 83 Connor Heyward, TE
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
    • 77 Broderick Jones, OT
    • 61 Mason Cole, C
    • 78 James Daniels, G
    • 73 Isaac Seumalo, G

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 97 Cam Heyward, DT
  • 96 Breiden Fehoko, NT
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 93 Mark Robinson, ILB
  • 51 Nick Herbig, OLB
  • 54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 21 Darius Rush, CB
  • 23 Damontae Kazee, S

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 7 @ Rams

by James Layton

The Steelers look to break their streak of losing the first game following a bye week against the Rams this week. Kenny Pickett gets another weapon back with wide receiver Diontae Johnson back from IR. This is going to be a big test for the secondary trying to contain wide receiver Puka Nucua and Cooper Kupp.

This game is going to be a true test for rookie cornerback Joey Porter jr. He should be seeing more playing time with the release of veteran cornerback Desmond King.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 30 Jaylen Warren, RB
  • 18 Diontae Johnson, WR
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 87 Rodney Williams, TE
  • 73 Isaac Seumalo, G
  • 61 Mason Cole, C
  • 65 Dan Moore Jr, OT

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • 99 Larry Ogunjobi, DE
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
  • 51 Nick Herbig, OLB
  • 29 Levi Wallace, CB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 21 Darius Rush, CB
  • 39 Minkah Fitpatrick, FS

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 5 vs Ravens

by James Layton

The Steelers season hasn’t been going the way we all thought it would be following the impressive pre-season showing they had. Matt Canada has gone back to his old ways of play calling. The defense has been struggling to stop the pass and being consistent in stopping the run.

This is going to be a big game for the offense to somehow bounce back to how they were looking during the pre-season. Or else this is going to be along rest of the season.

Rookie OT Broderick Jones is going to be making his first start today. This is looking to be a good team for him to go up against, since they don’t have a clear cut stand out pass rusher.

The running backs are going on their game today in pass blocking. The Ravens like to bring the blitz with their secondary players. Safety Kyle Hamilton is their leader in sacks with three, even though they all came in one game. But that is going to something to look for.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 22 Najee Harris, RB
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 11 Allen Robinson, WR
  • 83 Connor Heyward, TE
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 87 Rodney Williams, TE
  • 71 Nate Herbig, G
  • 77 Boderick Jones, OT

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 96 Breiden Fehoko, DT
  • 99 Larry Ogunjobi, DT
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 93 Mark Robinson, ILB
  • 55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
  • 44 Markus Golden, OLB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS
  • 23 Damontae Kazee, SS

Special Teams

  • 3 Brad Wing, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 4 @ Texans

by James Layton

The Steelers look to continue to keep their win streak going in Houston, with back-to-back wins on the road. The Texans are not a team to think is going to be an easy win. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has picked up what it takes to an NFL quarterback quickly.

This is also a good game to see an expanded role for second year running back Jaylen Warren, who has been impressive in both the run and pass game. This is also a good game to for the young defensive players to get some good reps.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 30 Jaylen Warren, RB
  • 19 Calvin Austin III, WR
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
  • 83 Connor Heyward, TE/FB
  • 65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
  • 61 Mason Cole, C
  • 71 Nate Herbig, G
  • 76 Chuks Okorafor, OT

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 57 Montravius Adams, NT
  • 98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • 54 Kwon Alexander, ILB
  • 55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 51 Nick Herbig, OLB
  • 29 Levi Wallace, CB
  • 39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

Special Teams

  • 3 Brad Wing, P

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 1 vs. 49ers

by James Layton

Steelers Football is finally back. This is a good matchup to start the season off with. This game will be good to see if 2nd year quarterback Kenny Pickett to show what he can do against a very good defense.

The 49ers offense is a good matchup for our Defense to see how our run stopping ability has improved since last season.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 22 Najee Harris, RB
  • 14 George Pickens, WR
  • 18 Diontae Johnson, WR
  • 19 Calvin Austin III, WR
  • 88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
  • 83 Connor Heyward, TE/FB
  • 65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
  • 61 Mason Cole, C
  • 76 Chuks Okorafor, OT

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 97 Cam Heyward, DT
  • 98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • 56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
  • 55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
  • 50 Elandon Roberts, ILB
  • 90 TJ Watt, OLB
  • 20 Patrick Peterson, CB
  • 29 Levi Wallace, CB
  • 39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS

Preseason Week 3: Steelers @ Falcons Players to Watch

by James Layton

The Steelers entering the game at 2-0. The starting offense is on fire, starting each game with a fast start to the endzone. If they can keep it going it’s going to be a shock for the other 31 teams around the league.

This is a big game for players still trying to make the roster, and roster battles at several positions. One of the top battles going into this game is 2nd string nose tackle, will Montravius Adams win out or does newly signed Breiden Fehoko win out.

This is a big game UDFA OLB David Perales. Perales has been a surprise this training camp and preseason. He’s been showing sparks as to why he has a chance to make this roster.

Let’s get into the players.

Offense

  • 2 Mason Rudolph, QB
  • 33 Xazavien Valladay, RB
  • 38 Greg Bell, RB
  • 13 Myles Boykin, WR
  • 81 Zach Gentry, TE
  • 87 Rodney Williams, TE
  • 74 Spencer Anderson, OL
  • 53 Kendrick Green, C
  • 68 William Dunkle, G
    • 67 Le’Raven Clark, OT

Defense

  • 57 Montravius Adams, NT
  • 91 Jonathan Marshall, DT
  • 66 James Nyamwaya, DT
  • 40 David Perales, OLB
  • 48 Quincy Roche, OLB
  • 44 Tanner Morgan, ILB
  • 53 Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB
  • 41 Kenny Robinson, SS
    • 42 James Pierre, CB
  • 35 Luq Barcoo, CB

Preseason Week 2: Bills @ Steelers Players to Watch

by James Layton

It was an awesome feeling to have Steelers football back last weekend. Seeing the offense pick up where they left off from last season, and finally being able to score an opening drive Touchdown.

The defensive line and pass rush was dominating the Buccaneers offensive line. It’s going to be interesting to see if they will be able to keep it going against the Bills this week.

Rookie linebacker Nick Herbig really balled out last week on defense recording 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks. It’s going to be an exciting game to see what he can do with more playing time.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 8 Kenny Pickett, QB
  • 30 Jaylon Warren, RB
  • 19 Calvin Austin III, WR
  • 11 Allen Robinson, WR
  • 89 Gunner Olszewski, WR
    • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 83 Connor Heyward, TE/FB
  • 77 Broderick Jones, OT
  • Spencer Anderson, OL
  • 53 Kendrick Green, C/G

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 96 Breiden Fehoko, NT
  • 92 Isaiahh Loudermilk, DT
  • 26 Kwon Alexander, ILB
  • 51 Nick Herbig, OLB
  • 93 Mark Robinson, ILB
  • 55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
    • 35 Luq Barcoo, CB
  • 37 Elijah Riley, S

Preseason Week 1: Steelers @ Buccaneers Players to Watch

by James Layton

Steelers football is finally back. Tonight, we get to see a true Kenny Pickett lead team take the field. It been a long 215 days since the last time the Steelers played.

This is finally a chance to see Joey Porter Jr wear the Black n’ Gold just like his dad did for years. It also has been a long time coming for 2nd year wide receiver Calvin Austin III to make his debut.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense

  • 2 Mason Rudolph, QB
  • 26 Anthony McFarland Jr, RB
  • 25 Darius Hagans, RB
  • 19 Calvin Austin Jr, WR
  • 21 Hakeem Butler, WR
  • 89 Gunner Olszewski, WR
  • 80 Darnell Washington, TE
  • 77 Broderick Jones, OT
  • 71 Nate Herbig, G
  • 74 Spencer Anderson, G/T

Defense

  • 95 Keeanu Benton, NT
  • 68 Armon Watts, DT
  • 98 DeMarvin Leal, DE
  • 51 Nick Herbig, OLB
  • 55 Cole Holcomb, ILB
  • 93 Mark Robinson, ILB
  • 35 Lou Barcoo, CB
  • 34 Chandon Sullivan, CB
  • 24 Joey Porter Jr, CB
  • 41 Kenny Robinson, S