Steelers’ Edge Rushers Ranked Best in NFL, Position Groups Among Top 10

As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for the 2024 season, the team’s defensive edge rushers have received high praise, ranking No. 1 in the NFL according to ESPN . The Steelers are poised to field one of the league’s most formidable defenses, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith leading the charge.

Watt, a perennial All-Pro, and Highsmith, who has racked up 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, form a dynamic duo that will be critical to Pittsburgh’s success this year.

In his recent rankings of every NFL position group, Clay highlighted the Steelers’ edge rushers as the best in the league. He also mentioned Nick Herbig , a promising second-year player who impressed in his rookie season with three sacks and eight total pressures in just 74 pass-rush snaps. Herbig is expected to provide valuable depth behind Watt and Highsmith as he continues to develop.

Beyond the edge rushers, Clay ranked several other Steelers position groups within the top 10. The interior defensive line (IDL) came in at No. 7, and the safety group ranked No. 6. While the edge rushers led the way, the Steelers' overall defense appears well-rounded and ready to make a significant impact this season.

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However, not all position groups were ranked as highly. The quarterback group was listed at No. 23, wide receivers at No. 30, and the offensive line at No. 26. These lower rankings reflect areas where the Steelers struggled in 2023 but have since made strides in the offseason. With improvements in the quarterback and offensive line positions, the Steelers are expected to rise in these rankings as the season progresses.

The Steelers are coming off a 10-win season that saw them make the playoffs, and with the enhancements made during the offseason, they are positioned to climb even higher in the rankings by season’s end. The combination of a dominant defense and a more balanced offense could propel Pittsburgh into contention for a deeper playoff run in 2024.