My Steelers mid term grades...... Defense and special teams

DE:
Cam Heyward: an unstoppable force of nature this season and somehow getting better.... A leader and difference maker that has to be accounted for at all times
Grade: A+

Chris wormley: Much better than I thought he would be.... While nowhere near the force that tuitt is, he still makes his presence felt.... he's definitely a keeper
Grade: B

Isaiah Loudermillk: much more advanced than led to believe, should be a fixture in the rotation for the foreseeable future
Grade: B

NT:
Tyson Alualu: a force in the middle.... Losing him was a huge loss .... Not sure if he comes back next season... I have a feeling that he will retire unless he wants to create a more positive ending for himself
Grade: A-

Isaiah Buggs: can collapse the pocket on occasion, but gets cleared out too easily when double teamed on run plays.... Needs to improve technique and strength
Grade: C

OLB:
TJ Watt: it still blows my mind that there were some on this board that were against us drafting TJ... the best edge in the league and the battery that powers the defense
Grade: A+

Alex Highsmith: played hurt for most of the first half, but has been healthy for the last few weeks... Has provided pressure and set the edge, but this defense needs the Highsmith that we saw during camp and preseason.... In short, he needs to step up
Grade: C+

ILB:
Devin Bush: definitely not the same since his injury... Bush has taken a big step back and seems to be thinking too much on the field... Due to last yrs injury, it is still too early to make any real judgement on him, but for now, he hasn't been the answer
Grade: D+

Joe Schobert: provides veteran leadership, and has been a strong contributor on the defense ... With more competent play from bush, he may not have to do so much and consequently, will be more effective
Grade: B

Robert Spillane: active in run support, but a liability in pass coverage.... One dimensional downhill lber that needs the play right in front of him to make the play
Grade: C

CB:
Joe Haden: still our best cb, but is definitely on the back end of his career... No longer the playmaker that he once was, but will still bat a pass down where in the past, it would've been picked
Grade: B

Cam Sutton: much better than I thought he would be.... Still has room for development and is a good cover person... Good tackler and very instinctive... A good building block for the future
Grade: B

James Pierre: still developing cb with a flair for the dramatic.... Needs to work on his consistency, but the arrow is definitely pointing up
Grade: B

S:
Minkah Fitzpatrick: while it would seem that he's taken a step back, you really have to look at how he's been used.... He's been moved all over the defense..... Mostly near the LOS.. in short, he's being used more like Troy polamalu, which he is not.... He has proven to be our best tackler in the secondary, but needs to be back at his normal single high spot, where he can actually be the playmaker that he is...
Grade: B-

Terrell Edmunds: Not an instinctual player, or playmaker.... Would more or less be a backup on most defenses and for where he was drafted, can be safely considered a bust..,.. serviceable for now, but more is needed
Grade: D

Tre Norwood: Surprise contributor to the defense, that has more knowledge and discipline than originally thought.... With further development, he may be a fixture in this defense
Grade: B

Arthur Mollett: good near the LOS, but as Chicago proved, you don't want him in coverage...... I don't see him getting much more field time
Grade: C-


P:
Pressley Harvin: rookie with a big leg... Has been inconsistent, but is a keeper.... Pretty sure once his rookie yr is behind him, this will be a position that is barely thought of
Grade: C+

Chris Boswell: model of consistency that just produces when called on... his leg seems to get stronger each yr and we are truly fortunate to have him
Grade: A

 

Pretty Good.