What are your expectations this year for the Steelers defense?

I am hopefully that the 6th time (or whatever) signing a vet CB to play CB2 will work. I think having a competent 2nd CB would really help our pass rushers get home.

I don't see us taking the green dot away from Queen / removing 3rd or 4th down duties from him. I was hopeful that Wilson could be good enough to force him out of that role so we could let Queen play instead of quarterbacking the D (he got so much better for BAL when he didn't have the dot). But Wilson losing snaps to a replacement level player last year was really disheartening on that front.

 

Queen is terribly miscast as a cover backer on 3rd down. TE and WR's abuse him. He misses too many tackles vs. the run. He is way over paid. I hope this is his last year.

 

I assume that since we don't seem to be interested in extending him means that this will be his last year barring an excellent season and some kind of tag. [note: this is the last year of his current deal]

 

It's as if some folks forgot what they did in free agency. No, they didn't do as much as they should have in the draft to help the defense, but they did address needs in free agency. Brisker alone was a huge addition. Safety play was a disaster last season. Brisker will be a big help there. Hopefully, Elliott can return and start along with him. I have serious doubts about Ramsey at free safety, but at least he will have a year of experience back there this time. Dean is an upgrade as their No. 2 cornerback. Joseph-Day can help up front.

They could still add some help at linebacker, but there aren't a ton of options left. Wagner would at least get the green dot away from Queen, but I'm not counting on that. happening.

Improvements on offense could also help out the defense. They actually have a competent No. 2 receiver for the first time in two years. Dowdle is an upgrade at running back. That could take some heat off the defense.

Regardless, there is some logic to the notion that the defense could improve if you look at the entire offseason rather than just focusing on the draft.

 

can't get much worse than 26th in total defense so I will predict we will be better.

 

My expectations every yr are as follows:

#1 overall
League sack leader
League turnover leader