Daily Links: 4 Steelers in Top 100, Vince Williams on Kickoffs

Four Pittsburgh Steelers made CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco’s annual Top 100 NFL players rankings. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt was the highest-ranked Steeler at No. 11, followed by defensive tackle Cam Heyward (No. 39), free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 41) and cornerback Patrick Peterson (No. 92).

“After being the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, Watt was limited to 10 games because of injury and had only 5.5 sacks. Expect him to be more like his 2021 self this season,” Prisco wrote.

Prisco had Watt ranked as the fifth-best defensive player in the league, behind Aaron Donald, Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa.

🏈 Former Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams isn’t happy with the new NFL kickoff rule that allows the ball to be spotted at the 25-yard line following a fair catch.

“The recent NFL kickoff rule is disappointing. Late round special teamers will have a hard time proving their worth. Personally, I signed a decent ST contract that allowed me to improve my linebacker skills. Kickoff was where I had some of my most memorable moments,” Williams tweeted.

Tyreek Hill said last month that the hardest hit that he ever took in the NFL was from Williams, which took place on a kickoff in the 2016 divisional round game between the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.

🏈 Ben Roethlisberger’s 522-yard passing performance in the Steelers’ 51-34 win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 ranks second over the last 10 years, behind only Joe Burrow’s 525-yard passing outing in the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. Roethlisberger is the only quarterback over the last 10 years to have thrown over 500 yards in a game twice. He also threw for 506 yards in the Steelers’ Week 14 win over the Ravens in 2017.

🏈 T.J. Watt and his brother J.J. enjoyed a round of golf on Saturday.

Photo #3 is the most accurate photo of our relationship.

🤣@_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/B675BA8Dl0

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 17, 2023

🎥 The Pro Football Hall of Fame honored former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson on his 58th birthday. Dawson is a part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.

The Hall of Fame sends Dermontti Dawson a Happy Birthday!

The all-time great and career member of the @steelers turns 58 today. pic.twitter.com/ERP32xdbj9

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 18, 2023

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: New Penguins president Kyle Dubas has to do more than just re-build the roster.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates bullpen couldn’t hold onto another lead, and the Bucs left Chicago after being swept by the Cubs.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt has moved all the way up to No. 8 in the Class of 2024 recruiting rankings after the commitment of Aliquippa LB Cameron Lindsey.

West Virginia Sports Now: Four-star 2024 defensive end commit Obinna Onwuka says he’s “all in” on West Virginia despite rumors to the contrary.

Nittany Sports Now: Three-star offensive lineman Deryc Plazz has de-committed from Penn State.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Takeaways and player grades from the Riverhounds win over Charleston.