'24 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

All Access Football previews the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. All Access. All Football. All The Time.

Aug 04, 2024

Volume XXIV Edition XXIX | 2024 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC NORTH || 2023 Record: 10-7 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 23

Team Brass

Owner: Art Rooney II || General Manager: Omar Kahn || Head Coach: Mike Tomlin || Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith || Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin || Special Teams: Danny Smith

2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (28 of 32)

Offense Rankings

Total Offense: 304.3 (25th) || Passing: 186.1 (25th) || Rushing: 118.2 (13th) || Points: 17.9 (T-27th) || Sacked: 36 (9th) || 3rd Down: 36.6% (22nd)

Defense Rankings

Total Defense: 342.1 (21st) || Passing: 227.1 (17th) || Rushing: 115.1 (19th) || Points Allowed: 19.1 (T-6th) || Sacks: 47 (T-11th) || Turnover Differential: 11 (T-3rd)

Top 10 Franchise Players

LB TJ Watt (photo credit: Pittsburgh Steelers)
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
LB Patrick Queen
DT Cameron Heyward
WR George Pickens
LB Alex Highsmith
OT Broderick Jones
TE Pat Freiermuth
CB Joey Porter Jr
RB Najee Harris

Key Additions

QB Russell Wilson (Broncos) || QB Justin Fields (Bears) || RB/RS Cordarrelle Patterson (Falcons) || WR Van Jefferson (Falcons) || WR Quez Watkins (Eagles) || TE MyCole Pruitt (Falcons) || DE Dean Lowry (Vikings) || LB Patrick Queen (Ravens) || CB Cameron Sutton (Lions) || CB Donte Jackson (Panthers) || S DeShon Elliott (Dolphins) || P Cameron Johnston (Texans)

Key Losses

QB Kenny Pickett (Eagles) || QB Mason Rudolph (Titans) || WR Diontae Johnson (Panthers) || WR Allen Robinson (Giants) || OT Chukwuma Okorafor (Patriots) || C Mason Cole || LB Mykal Walker (Commanders) || CB Patrick Peterson || CB Levi Wallace (Broncos) || S Keanu Neal

Breakout Players

WR George Pickens - It was a boom-or-bust type season for the sophomore sensation. Despite surpassing the 1,000-yard barrier, there were nine games in which Pickens was held under 50 yards. That is not WR1 material. That was partially due to inconsistent quarterback play but Pickens has shown flashes of brilliance and owns All-Pro level talent. Is this the year he puts it all together?

OT Broderick Jones - Speaking of upside, Jones emerged as the starting right tackle over the second half of last season and is permanently entrenched in that spot. He continued to show improvement on a weekly basis.

DT Keeanu Benton - Look for Benton to be able to apply more pressure from the interior and finish off some of his sack opportunities (he had eight QB hits as a rookie).

2024 NFL Draft Class

It started with a bang, as first round pick Troy Fautanu fits like a glove on the Steelers offensive line, along with center Zach Frazier, the offense got significantly nastier. In the third round, they added slot weapon Roman Wilson who shows excellent separation ability and linebacker Payton Wilson, who might be the best defensive player in this year’s draft but fell due to medical concerns. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: High Level Impact