For better or worse: Steelers defense edition
The Steelers rely heavily on its defense and 2025 will be no different. But is this group an improvement over last season in the big picture and more importantly, which defensive positional units are better and which are worse?
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Defensive line
Despite an elite season by defensive tackle Cam Heyward, this group was a serious disappointment. Nose tackle Keeanu Benton didn't show any growth and the rest of the group. This was a huge area of emphasis for the Steelers in the offseason as they drafted defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, both significant upgrades over Larry Ogunjobi and Montravius Adams. BETTER
Outside linebacker
Another edge defender wasn't a huge need for the Steelers but former Ohio State star Jack Sawyer was just too good to pass him up. His addition makes this group the deepest and most talented in the NFL with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig already in place. BETTER
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Inside linebacker
We were excited to see Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson as the starters this season but worried about the depth. But now, with Malik Harrison signed and Cole Holcomb healthy, this group makes a case to be the best in the AFC like the Steelers are at outside linebacker. BETTER
Cornerback
After losing Donte Jackson in free agency, the Steelers went out and signed Darius Slay to replace him and we weren't impressed. But when the Steelers traded for Jalen Ramsey in June, it really finalized the cornerback depth chart and even though Slay and Ramsey might both be a little past their prime, it's still an improvement. BETTER
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Safety
The move to make the Steelers' cornerbacks better did, in turn, make the safety positional unit worse. Losing Minkah Fitzpatrick guts this unit and Juan Thornhill can't fill that void. This group is not going to be in a position to be a playmaking group in 2025. WORSE
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: For better or worse: Steelers defense edition
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