2022 Breakout Player

[NorthCoast]

Don't sleep on the Spoon!

I know everyone is stoked over the rookies. It happens every season. But it's really the vets on the team that will decide the Steelers fate in 2022. With Haden out of the picture.... .... Spoon will likely be tabbed to cover the other team's #1 WR. He was excellent against #2s late last season but there are a few very scary #1s on the schedule for this season.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2956140-predicting-every-nfl-teams-breakout-player-for-2022

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB



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One reason the Pittsburgh Steelers slipped from their AFC North throne in 2020 to second place in 2021 was the decrease in interceptions. They ranked first with 18 interceptions as they sprinted to a 12-4 finish, but the playmaking dropped off last season. They finished 15th in the league with 13 picks.

They needed to add better cornerbacks in order to take advantage of one of the premier edge-rusher combos in the league. Of course T.J. Watt finished 2021 in the top five of pass rush win rate, but both he and Alex Highsmith were also top-eight run-stoppers for edge defenders. The problem was they had only one playmaking corner on the roster, Ahkello Witherspoon.

Witherspoon started only three games and played in nine total last year but racked up three interceptions in his short time. He re-signed on a two-year deal and should compete for a starting job alongside Levi Wallace and Cam Sutton. But what makes Witherspoon different are his spurts of ball production.

San Francisco wasn't able to maximize his ability to play the ball, but his 40 combined pass deflections and interceptions in 56 career games is far from bad. For comparison, Wallace had 36 combined breakups and interceptions in 52 games, all starts, for a defense that ranked much higher in pass rush win rate last year.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Don't sleep on the Spoon!

I know everyone is stoked over the rookies. It happens every season. But it's really the vets on the team that will decide the Steelers fate in 2022. With Haden out of the picture.... .... Spoon will likely be tabbed to cover the other team's #1 WR. He was excellent against #2s late last season but there are a few very scary #1s on the schedule for this season.

I don't think that the D will have one CB always follow the opposite WR1. The only time when I could see it is perhaps if the receiver is a taller guy since Witherspoon is the tallest of the 3 main corners. Otherwise, I don't think that there is not much to separate Witherspoon from Wallace and Sutton. I could be wrong, but I'd think that they focus more on scheming than 1 on 1 matchups. However, we have to keep in mind that we have a new DC, and his background is the secondary.

[NorthCoast]

I don't think that the D will have one CB always follow the opposite WR1. The only time when I could see it is perhaps if the receiver is a taller guy since Witherspoon is the tallest of the 3 main corners. Otherwise, I don't think that there is not much to separate Witherspoon from Wallace and Sutton. I could be wrong, but I'd think that they focus more on scheming than 1 on 1 matchups. However, we have to keep in mind that we have a new DC, and his background is the secondary.

Good points. And forgot about Austin being a secondary guru. Should be fun watching how these news guys mesh. The Steelers need one CB to rise to the level of a Haden for me to feel comfortable.

[Oviedo]

I think a couple guys on each side of the ball will breakout (not including rookies)

Defense:

1. Highsmith-teams will do eberything possible to stop Watt which will give Highsmith every opportunity in the world to get sacks. Barring injury, I could see him with 12-15 sacks
2. Edmunds-playing with a cause. I think this is his breakout year. Have shown growth every year

Offense:
1. Freiermuth-will be better than last year and will become one of the NFL's best TEs
2. Claypool-will make us forget 2021 and be better than 2020. Will have best season in terms of catches and TDs. Will make Dionte expendable in the next off season

[whisper]

Good points. And forgot about Austin being a secondary guru. Should be fun watching how these news guys mesh. The Steelers need one CB to rise to the level of a Haden for me to feel comfortable.

I don't think we have anyone of Joe's caliber on the roster. I feel like after this season, we will be looking to upgrade the CB unit big time, which is scary considering how bad we've been at drafting them, just pathetic.

[NorthCoast]

I don't think we have anyone of Joe's caliber on the roster. I feel like after this season, we will be looking to upgrade the CB unit big time, which is scary considering how bad we've been at drafting them, just pathetic.

Very scary. But it's not just the Steelers who are looking. This last draft had more CBs taken (30+) than WRs. The league is in constant search of guys that can defend the pass. Honestly, not an easy job given the rules favoring offense.

[Bawb the Revelator]

Very scary. But it's not just the Steelers who are looking. This last draft had more CBs taken (30+) than WRs. The league is in constant search of guys that can defend the pass. Honestly, not an easy job given the rules favoring offense.

Perhaps not. The article's premise is a new CB starting 3 times and improving the D. Why not a new LT improving a wretched OL and going to top 10 or 12 OLs? Makes an Eric Fisher or other FA OL at least possible. Gawd, I feel like a damn race track tout

[feltdizz]

Claypool or Pickens.. I think the attention either will receive makes it much easier for the other one to exploit their matchup.

[SidSmythe]

Claypool is a MUST but it's up in the air.

I say DOTSON & MOORE open up the Running Game.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Claypool is a MUST but it's up in the air.

I say DOTSON & MOORE open up the Running Game.

If it is Dotson and Moore then we will barely be talking about them. We will instead be talking about Najee, the QB, and at least one of the receivers as being the breakout players.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I think a couple guys on each side of the ball will breakout (not including rookies)

Defense:

1. Highsmith-teams will do eberything possible to stop Watt which will give Highsmith every opportunity in the world to get sacks. Barring injury, I could see him with 12-15 sacks
2. Edmunds-playing with a cause. I think this is his breakout year. Have shown growth every year

Offense:
1. Freiermuth-will be better than last year and will become one of the NFL's best TEs
2. Claypool-will make us forget 2021 and be better than 2020. Will have best season in terms of catches and TDs. Will make Dionte expendable in the next off season

Highsmith had his chance when Watt was killing it and Hewyard doing a fine job too. As the 3rd best pass rusher he fell flat with the other guys being double teamed. Edmunds gave up too much years and did not offer tight coverage, Very frequently slaps plays too. I doubt either will be a 2022 breakout player. Witherspoon is a good pick.


Claypool, Pickett, 'Muth are good picks for the offense.

[WindyCitySteel]

Dan Moore, Jr. needs to have a big year.