Three Pittsburgh Steelers players appeared on Pro Football Network’s top 100 players of 2024 list. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt was the highest-ranked Steeler at No. 8, the third-highest among defensive players behind Micah Parsons (No. 4) and Myles Garrett (No. 2).
“One of the NFL’s most dependable players, T.J. Watt led the league in sacks in 2020, 2021, and 2023, only failing in 2022 while missing seven games due to an injury. He took home Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 after posting 22.5 sacks to tie Michael Strahan’s single-season record. A constant, unceasing threat from the edge, Watt is the most talented player on a star-studded Pittsburgh Steelers defense,” Dallas Robinson of PFN wrote.
DraftKings Sportsbook listed Watt and Parsons as co-favorites to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year this season. Watt and Parsons are both at +550 to win DPOY. Watt won the award in 2021, while Parsons has never accomplished the feat, but has finished either second or third in the voting in each of his three NFL seasons.
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa and Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby have the second-best odds, both at +700. Myles Garrett, who won DPOY last year, follows at +800.
Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had a down year in 2023, but he is still one of the best safeties in the game. The turnovers where just not there last season. PFN tabbed Fitzpatrick as the 57-best player in the NFL.
“Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming off his least productive season as a pro, but injuries were largely to blame for his down year,” Robinson wrote. “Provided Fitzpatrick stays healthy next year, the 27-year-old should return to his elite level of play. He has a nose for the football, but his coverage consistency is that of an elite free safety.Fitzpatrick boasts the length, range, and trigger to cover serious ground on the back end, and he’s not afraid to come forward and hit, either.
The Steelers plan on not moving Fitzpatrick around as much this season. In 2022, Fitzpatrick was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions with six. Fitzpatrick hopes to get back to his ball-hawking ways.
“Just let me play ball,” Fitzpatrick said at OTAs. “That’s it. Minkah ball.”
To round out the three Steelers players on the list, Heyward just barely made the top 100 at No. 98.
“Cameron Heyward finally showed signs of aging in 2023, as he missed six games and posted just two sacks, his fewest since 2012. However, when healthy, the 35-year-old is still an effective pass rusher and stout against the run. Heyward totaled 20.5 sacks from 2021 to 2022 and has earned four All-Pro nods since 2017,” Robinson wrote.
Heyward, 35, is seeking a contract extension from the Steelers. He wants to play at least three more years. He believes he still has a lot left in the tank.
“My game is different from everybody else in this league,” Heyward said. “I like to think I can play the run and the pass. And that’s why I’m different. Last year Mike (Tomlin) brought to my attention, the thing that’s really cool is you watch powerlifters, and my game is built on power and technique. And (powerlifters) go into their 40s. And so, you know, that’s what kind of research I’m doing behind the scenes.”