Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr. and 3 Others Highlight Steelers 2024 Breakout Candidates
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin often discusses how crucial the second year is for players. Once they have a year under their belts, major strides are expected in Year 2.
Offensive tackle Broderick Jones, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., nose tackle Keeanu Benton, and outside linebacker Nick Herbig headlined the Steelers’ impressive 2023 rookie class. All four are expected to take big leaps in 2024, but only Jones was named to Josh Edwards of CBS Sports’ All-Breakout Team. Benton was named honorable mention. Newly minted number 1 receiver George Pickens is also expected to have a big season by multiple pundits.
Broderick Jones
“Most of the NFL’s best offensive tackles were taken in the first round of the draft and those players tend to start immediately. Since rookies are not a part of this equation, the pickings are slim. Jones allowed five sacks on 378 pass blocking snaps as a rookie last season, according to TruMedia. The former Georgia Bulldog saw time at right tackle last season but will return to left tackle where he played in college. Combined with the arrival of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who facilitated the improvement of multiple offensive linemen during his time in Atlanta, Jones could be on the brink of an outbreak,” Edwards wrote.
Jones started 11 games for the Steelers as a rookie, including the last 10 of the season. As a rookie, Jones played 767 offensive snaps and allowed four sacks while committing two penalties. The Steelers’ run game dramatically improved once Jones entered the starting lineup at right tackle.
The Steelers used their first round pick on another offensive tackle in 2024 when they drafted Troy Fautanu. It’s expected that Jones will start at left tackle, which is his natural position. What side he plays on his irrelevant to him, however.
“I really don’t care what side they put me on,” Jones said. “As long as I am in the starting lineup that is fine with me. I am an aggressive player, I am a team player so wherever they need me to play, I am ready to play.”
Keeanu Benton
Tomlin expects a leap from Benton this season. He said as much during his season-ending press conference in January.
“It’s interesting, I just had an exit interview with him,” Tomlin said. “I’m really excited about the prospects of his future. He’s really talented. I think he’s capable of being dominant sooner rather than later. And so, the question is how quickly can we make that happen and what are our roles in doing so. And so, we just had a real good conversation about what that looks like foundationally and how do we build.”
In May, Pro Football Focus tabbed Benton as a breakout candidate for this season.
“The former Badger ranked fourth on the Steelers with 24 pressures despite playing only 516 snaps. There were several moments when Benton looked flat-out unblockable, but the Steelers didn’t use him as much as anticipated as a rookie,” Bradley Locker of PFF wrote. “With Cameron Heyward experiencing a down 2023 and uncertainty with Larry Ogunjobi’s production, it feels as though Benton should easily exceed his previous snap count and be disruptive on the interior.”
Joey Porter Jr.
Porter allowed a completion on just 47.4% of his targets in 2023, which was the lowest among all cornerbacks with 50+ targets, according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, Porter only gave up 50+ yards in the air in 2 out of his 17 games during his rookie season.
Porter could make a statement this season and solidify himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He already believes he’s the best. Porter told Mark Kaboly of The Athletic in June, “I don’t care if I am mentioned in there (among the best) or not because they are going to hear my name eventually.”
George Pickens
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report thinks Steelers third-year wide receiver George Pickens is in prime position to make an All-Pro leap in 2024. Pickens caught 52 passes for 801 yards and four scores in his rookie season in 2022. Last season, he elevated his game with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes Pickens is a candidate to break Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record in 2024. I don’t think I’d go that far, but Pickens should post career highs in 2024. A Pro Bowl selection and an All-Pro honor should be in reach, though.
“With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields potentially being significant upgrades over their predecessors, the Steelers’ top playmaker could see his numbers spike as the focal point of a passing game committed to pushing the ball down the field,” Brooks wrote.
Nick Herbig
Herbig will still serve as the Steelers’ No. 3 outside linebacker, but defensive coordinator Teryl Austin expects him to take a leap in Year 2.
“Yes. And it’s not so much in the rush and how he’s rushing but I think it’s his approach to the game and what he knows. You know, it’s always a little different. You get used to NFL football first year, second year, you get a jump because now you kind of understand the game. And that’s what I see with him. He understands what’s going on around and it’s not just hey, what’s my position. He can understand and he has a good feel for the game. And so, I’m excited about Nick and I think, you know, when you look at what he did last year, and the limited amount of reps he played, his impact was pretty good. And so, if he’s playing more this year, it wouldn’t surprise me and I wouldn’t be like, oh, we got to get the other guys back in. I would be trustful of what he’s going to do in the game,” Austin said at minicamp.
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