Steelers Snap Counts, Grades vs Browns: Extra DL, ILB Didn’t Lead to Run-D Success

Check out the Pittsburgh Steelers snap counts and grades from their 29-14 Thursday Night Football loss to the Cleveland Browns to fall to 1-2 on the season.

QUARTERBACK

Mitch Trubisky had his best grade, with an 80.3 PFF grade after posting 62 and 61.6 grades in his first two games.

RUNNING BACK

Jaylen Warren certainly showed his worth, with one long touchdown drive belonging mostly to him before Najee Harris got the score. He also fumbled and was quickly called to the bench by Mike Tomlin. PFF was more forgiving than Tomlin for the fumble, grading Warren at a 79.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Steelers offensive line continues to be graded highly for its performance, with center Mason Cole leading the way this time with a 79.3

TIGHT END

The Steelers used two tights a little more often, but Pat Freiermuth was still invisible in the passing game until the final minutes. Freiermuth’s grade rebounded to a 78.4 after three drops last week.

WIDE RECEIVER

Gunner Olszewski seems to have lost most of his role as wide receiver four, which is strange since he had a nice jet sweep last gamer. It was not a strongly graded game for the receivers, with Diontae Johnson leading the way with a 70.1. George Pickens and Chase Claypool were at the bottom of the pile for Steelers offensive players.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Steelers played more base defense than usual with the Browns featuring a run-heavy attack, and so the defensive line saw another across-the-board increase in playing time. PFF liked what it was from Cam Heyward (69.9 grade), but not Tyson Alualu (30.3). DeMarvin Leal, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams and Chris Wormley were all in the middle.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Alex Highsmith continues to draw big-time minutes with T.J. Watt out of action. Highsmith’s 73 grade was the best of any defensive regular. This week, the base defense and Malik Reed were a bigger part of the game plan. David Anenih still can’t get a helmet and Jamir Jones and Delontae Scott have played only bit parts.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

The Steelers played all three of their inside linebackers together a good bit in a new package against the Browns, resulting in an increased workload for all three. The results don’t seem to favor going back to that package. Myles Jack and Devin Bush both graded in the 40s.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Ahkello Witherspoon’s fourth-quarter injured reduced his playing time, and the team’s lack of Nickel usage knocked down how much Levi Wallace saw the field. Wallace graded well in his more limited role. Witherspoon’s trouble guarding Austin Cooper resulted in a 47.3 grade.