Grading Every Pittsburgh Steelers Position Group Performance So Far this Season
By Chris Ross
Secondary
Perhaps the Steelers’ most improved and impressive position group, the secondary has played incredibly well, especially since the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. Last season, this was a unit that was constantly getting toasted by opposing offenses. Fast-forward to now, however, and this looks and feels like a completely different group.
It all starts with Fitzpatrick. After growing weary with the Dolphins’ tanking plan, Fitzpatrick asked for a trade and the Steelers pounced. Sure, it hurts to give up their 2020 first-rounder, especially given their current record, but with the way Fitzpatrick has played, it looks like it will be worth it in the long-run. He’s been exactly what Pittsburgh needed, a player that can hold up against the run while also eliminating the long plays that were being given up with regularity. After losing Sean Davis to injury, the Steelers decided to gamble on Fitzpatrick, and it’s paying off so far.
Elsewhere, Joe Haden has continued to function as a legitimate No. 1 cornerback while Steven Nelson has provided a major upgrade at the other cornerback spot. Terrell Edmunds, a first-rounder in 2018, has shown flashes of becoming a well-rounded player while guys like Cam Sutton and Mike Hilton have stepped up to play valuable downs. Even Artie Burns has improved and has actually shown an ability to cover opposing receivers without immediately being burned, which is a gigantic improvement for him.
With a nice combination of youth, experience and top-end talent, the secondary has become a difference-making unit for Pittsburgh.