2 Steelers Surprisingly Make PFF’s Uncanny Top-10 Defenders List

After the disappointing recent release of the popular Madden 23 video game ratings this past week, it’s slightly refreshing to see a few players from the Pittsburgh Steelers honored somewhat correctly in a new set of rankings on Sunday. The highly ridiculed (mostly by me), Pro Football Focus (PFF) just released their top 10 defenders on their PFF50 list, and I’m quite surprised to see two members from the black and gold make the cut. It’s not due to the pedigree of these players mind you, but the simple fact that, like Madden, PFF has not always been so kind to the Steelers in terms of rankings.

Check out this tweet they sent out last off-season. Aren't they forgetting someone? The disrespect...

Most recently, even Steelers running back, Najee Harris was pretty vocal about his thoughts towards the infamous analytics company:

“Well, everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Harris told The Post, laughing earlier this off-season. “I hate PFF too.”

Steelers RB1 Najee Harris Responds To PFF Rating Him As Worst 2021 1st Round Draft Pick – “I hate PFF too.”

With that said, did PFF get their top 10 defenders list correct this time around? Take a look:

Twitter: @PFF

As yinz can see, coming in at No. 2, the NFL's reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt. Watt's credentials speak for himself as he'll look to topple his single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks this upcoming season. Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive tackle, Aaron Donald continues to seem like the NFL's consensus No. 1 best defensive player, despite Watt's never-ending list of accolades since he was drafted back in 2017.

Speaking of Donald, coming in at No. 6, Cam Heyward has also been extremely vocal this off-season about the "disrespect" he's felt among NFL analysts as of late, and the fact that he's just as good as the former Pitt standout in Donald.

“I think he’s 1a and I think I’m 1a,” Heyward said about Donald. “For me, personally, I think I’m at the top of my game and I’m a complete player. And that’s not a slight at everybody else, but when I step on that field, I feel like I’m the top guy at my position. Aaron Donald is a great player and he is a heck of a player, but it’s what you want, it’s pick your poison. I’ve said that to multiple people this off-season and that’s how I feel.”

Steelers Superstar Cam Heyward Texted Former Steeler Ramon Foster: “I ain’t 5, I ain’t 4, I ain’t 3, it’s pick your poison at 1 or 2”

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle and captain, Cam Heyward (#97) and Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher, T.J. Watt (#90) celebrate at Heinz Field. | Emilee Chinn / Getty Images

PFF's top 10 list is loaded with studs, and Heyward is right, "pick your poison" as far as who you think ranks over whom. The names on the list overall however are hard to argue, and I'm sure Steeler Nation appreciates PFF listing Watt over Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler, Myles Garrett.

Both Watt and Heyward continue to show signs of growth and dominance entering years six and 12, respectively. They'll again look to be staples of this elite Steelers defense, and who knows; they both may continue to shoot up the charts on these types of rankings from around the league.

Regardless, don't fret, Steeler Nation. These rankings mean nothing when it's all said and done. All that matters is how they perform as a team in 2022. Besides, PFF isn't for everybody...

What do yinz think of all the ratings and rankings from around the league in regards to the Steelers this off-season? Make sure to click to comment below!

#SteelerNation