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Pittsburgh Steelers CB Steven Nelson defending in opposition to Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019.
Final September the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a first-round draft decide to the Miami Dolphins in alternate for security Minkah Fitzpatrick. So far, it seems to be to be a wonderful commerce for the Steelers, as Fitzpatrick intercepted 5 passes in 14 video games and was named First-Group All-Professional in 2019, the crew’s first defensive again to earn that honor since Troy Polamalu in 2011.
However Fitzpatrick’s instant influence on the crew’s protection overshadowed the efforts of a few of his fellow defenders, together with two cornerbacks, one being Joe Haden, who tied Fitzpatrick for the crew lead in interceptions in 2019.
Steven Nelson: The Steelers’ Most Underrated Participant
However one other 2019 acquisition additionally performed a pivotal position within the success of the Steelers’ protection final yr, one which has not gone unnoticed by Professional Soccer Focus (PFF), which lately named cornerback Steven Nelson the Steelers’ most underrated participant (even because it chosen a ‘most underrated’ participant on each different NFL crew).
The Steelers signed Nelson to a three-year $25.5 million contract in March 2019, bringing him over from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, the place he was the No. 33 ranked cornerback within the NFL in 2018, in keeping with PFF. It seems to be to be an impressed transfer on the a part of basic supervisor Kevin Colbert, as Nelson was even higher throughout his first season in Pittsburgh.
“By the numbers, Nelson was one of many league’s finest cornerbacks final season,” famous PFF author Ben Linsey. “Enjoying reverse Joe Haden, his 80.5 general grade ranked sixth amongst all cornerbacks in 2019, and he allowed simply 33 receptions on over 500 protection snaps all yr.
“One other season with numbers like that and persons are going to begin taking discover,” Linsey famous.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Secondary in 2020
Certainly the short-term outlook is vibrant for the Steelers’ secondary, which additionally employs former first-round decide Terrell Edmunds and slot cornerback Mike Hilton, amongst others.
It has change into evident that head coach Mike Tomlin can also be excited concerning the potential of second-year cornerback Justin Layne, a Michigan State product who was drafted within the third spherical final yr.
In a latest convention name with Steelers’ followers, Tomlin particularly highlighted Layne’s improvement within the wake of talking about Devin Bush, who himself is one in all two Steelers on PFF’s record of potential ‘breakout’ gamers for 2020.
All of the younger expertise—to not point out the return (from damage) of defensive finish Stephon Tuitt—might allow Pittsburgh’s protection to enhance on its efficiency in 2019, when it had the third-best go protection within the NFL when it comes to yards allowed and completed tied for fifth in factors allowed.
The AFC North’s Different ‘Most Underrated’ Gamers
In case you’re questioning, PFF named operating again Gus Edwards because the Baltimore Ravens’ most underrated participant, with Olivier Vernon and Carlos Dunlap incomes the identical honor for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.
Different notable names on PFF‘s record embrace Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
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