The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team with a lot of candidates for being a break out player, because the team is so young and inexperienced, mainly on the offensive end, there are many players who can break out and have a big season.
There are a couple of obvious ones that are locks to be on this list, but Pittsburgh has players all over the field that can come up big and take the step to become a household name in this league, but today I’ll only be highlighting three players on the Steelers that I expect to take a huge step in the upcoming season.
Break Out Players
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (8) and TE Pat Freiermuth (88) – Jake Mysliwczyk/BMR via ZUMA Press Wire
1. Kenny Pickett
The first of the locks on this list is second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. It was a tale of two seasons in his rookie year last year, his first few games he looked very erratic, made some plays in the first few weeks but was killed by the interceptions having multiple 3 pick games early in his career.
Then the bye week happened and it felt like something clicked, not just for him but for the whole offense; Kenny went from turning the ball over time and time again to throwing only one interception over the last 8 games of the season with also coming up with huge game-winning drive against the Raiders and Ravens late in the season, showing that he could potentially be the guy in Pittsburgh.
Pickett gained some much-needed muscle this offseason that is going to be key to remaining healthy this season while also helping his arm strength which was a knock on him coming out of Pitt. I see a break out season for Pickett if he improves on his accuracy and timing within the play structure; too many times he was trying to make a play while they still time to make a play within the play call; once he becomes more comfortable delivering timing throws to receivers his numbers will skyrocket and the offense will run smoothly, a good season for Pickett should get Pittsburgh in the playoff hunt.
Stat Predictions
66% completions, 3600 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 INTs
2. George Pickens
Another lock to be on this list, it’s second-year wideout, George Pickens. The receiver out of Georgia, Pickens showed outstanding hands and jump ball ability in his rookie season.
Pickens shows an ability to play the ball in the air that the Steelers haven’t consistently have in a while, his leaping ability and contested catches the Steelers seem to have a deep threat for the future. Pickens had 52 catches, 801 yards and four touchdowns, those are quality numbers for a second-round rookie, and as the chemistry goes up with Pickett and Pickens, those numbers will continue to climb.
Pickens will likely be even more of a deep threat in year 2, Pickens was 7th in the NFL in deep targets and that was not being involved in the offense as much in the beginning of the season. With a full season being the focal point of the passing game, expect Pickens to break out with a thousand-yard season.
Stat Predictions
78 catches, 1250 yards and seven touchdowns
Steelers WR Calvin Austin III (19) – Getty Images
3. Calvin Austin III
The last break out player for the Steelers is another offensive player, second year, but more of a rookie because of his rookie season being evaporated because of injury, but Calvin Austin is a very talented, quick wide receiver; Austin was a big play machine at Memphis and an explosive punt returner, taking two punts to the house in his college days.
OC Matt Canada has an affinity for quick jet sweeps, running them often with Chase Claypool; with Austin’s explosive speed, that could be a huge part of his game and our offense next year.
With the signing of Allen Robinson, Austin won’t be the number three receiver yet for Pittsburgh but that could mean more gadget plays for Austin getting him in open space with his speed. I can see Austin is many different spots on the offense, handing him the ball and getting him with quick hitters, Austin could be a focal point by the end of the season.
Stat Predictions
40 catches, 540 yards, three touchdowns
Recap
There’s more room for improvement from the offensive players on this team; if the play-calling gets a much-needed improvement this upcoming season, the talent on this roster could produce many great players.
Some other players that could make a leap this season are Jaylen Warren, an undrafted running back who was great out of the backfield, he was a scat back who got more and more towards the end of the season, as well as DeMarvin Leal on the defensive line, Leal is an athletic D lineman who could see more field time this season. A couple of other players who could have made the list are TE Connor Heyward, brother of Cam Heyward, veteran safety Damontae Kazee and free agent LB Markus Golden.
