Steelers' Cameron Heyward Gives Praise To Surging Rookie: "Definitely Ahead Of The Game"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the most critical game of the season on Sunday night after losing to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. The 13-6 loss was characterized by an inability to score points off of capitalizing on the mistakes the Browns made on offense, of which they made plenty. While the defensive performance was stellar, the offense couldn't keep up, resulting in the loss that prevented the Steelers from clinching the AFC North, setting up a winner-take-all game against the Baltimore Ravens to win the division. The Steelers are going to need to improve their consistency on both sides of the ball and rely on their superstars to clinch the victory in Week 18.

One of those superstars is someone that not many would expect to hear, that being Steelers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. When Harmon is both on and off the field, his impact has been felt. In the games that Harmon missed due to injury, the Steelers' run defense struggled immensely. When Harmon is on the field, he immediately gives the defense more options on the front seven and contributes well to stopping the run. This impact from a rookie hasn't gone unnoticed by the experienced veterans on the team, with a notable veteran in defensive tackle Cameron Heyward praising the contributions that Harmon has made.

In his latest address to the media, Heyward had nothing but praise for Harmon's skills and his contributions to the defense as a rookie.

"I think it's just understanding what Derrick [Harmon] brings," Heyward said. "Derrick's definitely ahead of the game. Plays with strong hands, understands the playbook a lot better than a lot of rookies. And I just think he's got a good feel for the game this early on. It helps having him out there, makes our rotation a lot bigger, and he can disrupt a lot of the game too."

Heyward's description of Harmon being of use on the field in the rotation is very accurate, as when Harmon plays, he immediately adds to the defensive line's ability to stop the run and was a major contributor in locking down multiple superstar running backs across the league. 

Harmon is not the only rookie that has played incredibly well for the Steelers in their limited playing time. Steelers rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer has also played incredibly well when he's been on the field, recording a pivotal interception against the Browns and making his impact felt, in a similar way to Harmon. The Steelers may have drafted two incredible players in the same draft, with comments made about how Sawyer is growing into his role on top of Heyward's recent praise of Harmon indicates just how well both have been performing.

Both will need to continue their streak of impressive performances if the Steelers want to win the AFC North against the Ravens on Sunday night. There's no doubt that the Steelers are better when both are available, but this especially applies to Harmon. Harmon's ability to disrupt the opposing offense on his own is something that can be taken advantage of against teams with impressive rushing attacks, like the one that the Ravens have. If the Steelers can find consistency on defense like they did against the Browns, along with generating turnovers, the Steelers will not only be in excellent position to win the AFC North, but they'll be in an excellent position for the future as well.

Steelers May Have Two Franchise Superstars For The Future

The fact that both Harmon and Sawyer have been able to contribute in the way they have, especially Harmon, serve as a great sign for the future of the franchise on defense. Heyward's comments prove that Harmon has the potential to become one of the next great defensive players in the NFL, and his career along with Sawyer's will be interesting to watch as they progress.

What did you think about Heyward's comments on Harmon? Let us know in the comments below.

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