Steelers Grades, Snap Counts vs Bucs: Edmunds, Heyward, Highsmith Lead D

The Pittsburgh Steelers got back in the win column with a 20-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. Here’s the player grades and snap counts from the big win.

QUARTERBACK

Mitch Trubisky had a 78.8 grade, the second-highest on the Steelers offense and the second-highest for a Steelers quarterback this season, after his performance against the Cleveland Browns. Kenny Pickett’s 49.5 grade was the worst on the offense and his worst of the season.

Trubisky’s overall PFF grade this season is a 72.7, while Pickett has a 62.7. Here’s every Steelers quarterback PFF grade from this season.

Trubisky, Cleveland 80.3
Trubisky, Tampa Bay, 78.8
Pickett, NY Jets, 66.9
Pickett, Buffalo, 65.8
Trubisky, Cincinnati, 62
Trubisky, New England, 61.6
Trubisky, NY Jets, 60.7
Pickett, Tampa Bay, 49.5

RUNNING BACK

Najee Harris looked a lot better than his season-worst performance against the Buffalo Bills, but his grade of 59.5 was still on the lower end for him this season and for the Steelers offense in Week 6. He did, however, get more playing time with the steel plate out of his shoe.

OFFENSIVE LINE

It seems like every week, some Steelers offensive linemen grade well and others struggle. This week, it was James Daniels (71) and Mason Cole (68.8) at the top of the scale and Kevin Dotson (51.8) at the bottom. Dotson had a 42.8 pass-block grade.

TIGHT END

It was very interesting that with Pat Freiermuth out with a concussion, Zach Gentry’s role went basically unchanged. The Steelers used Connor Heyward a lot more, but overall used the tight end position a lot less than they usually do. That could have been tied to a rough day for Gentry, whose 50.5 rating was the second-worst on the offense.

WIDE RECEIVER

Chase Claypool had a fantastic game by any measure, setting season highs in catches and yards, and hauling in an 86.7 grade. Diontae Johnson (62.3) and George Pickens (55.7) had more middling days as the big three dominated the reps.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Cam Heyward (88.5) was slightly down from last week, but continues to be the highest-graded player on the Pittsburgh defense and is probably pushing for an All-Pro season with the way he’s held things together on the inside. Larry Ogunjobi (70.6) lived up to his billing as Cam’s interior running mate and Isaiahh Loudermilk (56.4) did more than well enough, filling in for DeMarvin Leal. Tyson Alaulu (36.6) continues to struggle.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Alex Highsmith got just one sack and one pass breakup, but was highly graded with an 84.4. Malik Reed (73.8) had his best game as a Steeler.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Myles Jack dealt with an ankle injury, resulting in his reduced role, but it didn’t impact his play, as he posted a 76.7 grade. Devin Bush (69.4) was also good, while Robert Spillane had the worst grade on the team with a 32.1. Spillane played 35 snaps as a box linebacker, 10 snaps as an outside linebacker, four as a slot corner, and two as an outside corner.

DEFENSIVE BACK

What a difference a week makes. The beat-up Steelers secondary that was torched by the Bills was largely left on the shelf against the Bucs, and the backups — along with Terrell Edmunds — came through big-time.

Edmunds led the way with an 82.9 grade, but Josh Jackson (64.6) also had a solid day. Both he and James Pierre (59) got solid marks for their tackling from the cornerback position.