After upgrading their quarterback room and filling several pressing needs in the draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2024 season poised to improve on their 2023 performance. They have a nice balance between young, promising talent and established veteran leadership. However, in what appears to be a stacked AFC, nothing will come easy. Pittsburgh will need players other than their superstars to step up and contribute in a big way. These potential Steelers breakout players will play key roles in the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakout Players to Watch in 2024
Keeanu Benton
In the second round of their spectacular 2023 draft, Pittsburgh landed two key pieces of their defense. The first was Joey Porter Jr., who is already their top cornerback and was among the league’s best cover corners last year. Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton was their other second-round pick last year, and he doesn’t get enough attention. Benton was very productive as a rookie despite playing less than half of the Steelers’ defensive snaps. His role will expand in 2024, which means his impact will, too.
While playing 43% of snaps, Benton was able to rack up 36 tackles, eight quarterback hits, nine pressures, two deflected passes, and a sack as a rookie. Statistically, he was productive, but Benton’s impact goes beyond the stats. He was very disruptive both as a pass rusher and a run stopper. Pittsburgh’s defensive line is among the league’s best, which means if Benton is double-teamed on the interior, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith will make plays at will from the edge. If Benton is left one-on-one, he will get home consistently. Look for Benton to play a much bigger role in 2024, and look for his production to climb as a result.
Nick Herbig
Nick Herbig is the second of these potential Steelers breakout players to come from their 2023 draft class. Much of the same commentary on Benton can apply to Herbig, too. He wasn’t on the field a ton as a rookie, but when he was, he was exceptional. While playing just 191 snaps, Herbig totaled 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. In fact, on a per-snap basis, he was Pittsburgh’s most productive pass rusher. When that comparison is against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, it’s impressive.
Deep dive into Nick Herbig's off-the-chart production for how little he's playing. Of Steelers OLBs, he has the highest sack rate, FF rate, and TFL rate. Even better than T.J. Watt.
Full breakdown in the link. #Steelers https://t.co/HkVzMtQXnI pic.twitter.com/M6hxKCExpQ
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) January 3, 2024
Again similar to Benton, Herbig has a great chance to break out in 2024 because his role is set to expand. Last year, he was the Steelers’ fourth edge rusher on the depth chart. This year, he will be third, meaning he’s first off the bench when Watt or Highsmith take a break. Further, given Herbig’s production last year, the Steelers coaching staff should feel more comfortable giving Watt and Highsmith some plays off. They played 83% and 81% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps last year respectively. Those numbers should come down a bit, which would mean more chances for Herbig to get after opposing quarterbacks.
Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington
The final two Steelers breakout players to look out for in 2024 are their top tight ends, though for different reasons. First, fourth-year tight end Pat Freiermuth could be in for his most productive season yet. With Russell Wilson playing in Arthur Smith’s offense, the middle of the field should be utilized both more often and more efficiently than it was last year in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett rarely threw over the middle, which greatly suppressed Freiermuth’s production. Further, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a real number two wide receiver opposite of George Pickens. If that doesn’t change prior to the season, look for Freiermuth to play a big role in 2024.
The third player on this list from the Steelers 2023 rookie class, Darnell Washington will see the field more in 2024. Their hiring of Arthur Smith and offseason roster moves leave no secret; Pittsburgh wants to run the ball frequently and effectively this year. Insert Washington, who is basically an offensive tackle who can catch passes. A better blocker than Freiermuth, Washington’s snap count will increase in his second season. Though most of his snaps will come on running plays, being on the field more should increase Washington’s targets, too. Particularly in the red zone, Russell Wilson will feel comfortable looking Washington’s way.
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