Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Players who must step up their game in 2018

3 of 4

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Sean Davis #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammates after a sack of DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

2. Sean Davis

This incredibly successful Pittsburgh franchise was built upon the premise that great defense wins championships. I think we can all agree to that point, but it’s Sean Davis who some fans may disagree on heading into 2018. Even though the young safety made 92 tackles in 2017, he swung and missed far too many times.

Take a look at this extremely accurate analysis of Davis from Michael Beck of “Behind the Steel Curtain”:

"“Davis led the Steelers with 92 tackles, however, he missed another 24. Davis struggled in the open field to get carriers to the ground. In what was probably his worst game of the season, against Green Bay, Davis missed the tackle which led to long Packer touchdown”"

I’ll remind you that the Steelers did ultimately beat the Packers that night, but Davis continued to show his limitations in open field.

This Pittsburgh secondary is used to having quick, athletic, hard-hitting safeties over the top; however, those former Steelers also never missed tackles in open space. In a league where the receivers keep getting bigger and the running backs keep getting faster, Mike Tomlin can ill-afford to keep having defensive liabilities on the field.

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers