Minicamp has wrapped up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the team still remains as the favorite to finish in the bottom of the AFC North standings. While talent surrounds Mike Tomlin's team, the players who often don't make the headlines may be a crucial part to the Steelers' success.
T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, Najee Harris, and Diontae Johnson are all key pieces to the puzzle, but which players are currently under-appreciated, underrated and will play an important role in the team's successes in 2022?
1.) Mason Cole - Center
Kendrick Green was not a strong suit on the offense in 2021. Several snaps were over or almost over Ben Roethlisberger's head in 2021 and the offensive line will be the most important positional group for the offense during the upcoming season. Cole has started 39 career games and played in 60 altogether. The former third round pick started all 16 games as a rookie for the Arizona Cardinals. His rapport with whoever is manning the quarterback position is hopefully already building and the importance and difference of the center position will be extremely noticeable when looking at the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Former Arizona Cardinals center, Mason Cole (#52), blocks for quarterback Kyler Murray (#8) in a game at State Farm Stadium in 2019. | Photo via Associated Press
2.) Levi Wallace - Cornerback
Wallace was recently tabbed as the Steelers most underrated player for 2022 by PFF.
Who’s the most underrated player on the Steelers? ⬇️https://t.co/ZFILBBhLIu
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) May 12, 2022
With Joe Haden gone, Wallace was an addition to the secondary that could be a huge signing for the defense going forward. The cornerback had six interceptions during his time in Buffalo. He also had a career high 76 tackles in 2019. Wallace is a workhorse. The fifth-year player walked on at the University of Alabama which is no easy task. He has worked for everything he has earned in the NFL and will be eager to prove to the city of Pittsburgh that he wants to be the number one corner for at least the next two seasons.
3.) Alex Highsmith - Outside Linebacker
Highsmith is always going to be overshadowed by Watt. Understandably so, playing alongside the Defensive Player of the Year will continue to provide opportunities for Highsmith to wreak havoc in the backfield. He is heading into his third season after making a huge leap last season in his sophomore campaign. The Steelers linebacker could put up huge numbers in 2022 which will still likely be overlooked because of Watt on the other side.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Alex Highsmith (#56), lines up to rush at Heinz Field in 2021 against the Las Vegas Raiders. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Highsmith is coming on a year that saw him get six sacks as well as forcing a fumble. A 10-sack season is within the realm of possibility and will make it even harder for opposing offenses to prepare for a unit that has Watt, Heyward, Fitzpatrick and Highsmith.
Who are you looking at to be the most underrated Steelers players in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
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