Pittsburgh’s Week 1 defense is reimagined around six new starters, with Loudermilk stepping in for Heyward as the anchor up front and a reshaped secondary led by Ramsey, Slay and Thornhill. Watt and Highsmith form the edge duo, while Queen and Wilson patrol the middle, complemented by a retooled back end featuring Porter Jr. and Thornhill. The unit leans on speed and versatility to pressure Zach Wilson and throttle the Jets’ passing game from the start, keeping the scoring ceiling high for fantasy defenses.

The secondary’s youth comes with upside and risk, as Slay, Ramsey and Porter Jr. bring playmaking and length, but their cohesion will be tested early. Thornhill provides range at free safety alongside Elliott at deep safety, creating a flexible, hybrid look on nickel. On the defensive line, Harmon’s debut in the rotation, Benton’s interior presence, and Loudermilk’s length inject disruption behind an upgraded linebacking corps. This group projects as a solid Week 1 fantasy play with a real chance for sacks, turnovers and a stout run stop.

From a fantasy perspective, Week 1 figures to be a grind-the-stats matchup for the Jets, with Pittsburgh's revamped front seven and savvy defensive backs posing frequent challenges. The Steelers’ mix of veteran leadership and youthful athleticism offers a high floor for tackles and a ceiling for big plays, especially with Watt and Highsmith teeing off. The new-look secondary can generate interceptions and pass deflections, heightening fantasy upside in a low-scoring affair.

Pittsburgh opened preseason with a 31-25 win over Jacksonville and gave Steelers fans a few early roster peeks. Max Hurleman, D'Shawn Jamison, and Skylar Thompson stood out as the biggest winners for the black-and-gold, underscoring talent depth that could shape the final 53. Most notable was Derrick Harmon, the No. 21 pick in the 2025 draft from Oregon, whose two pressures on 22 pass-rushing snaps hinted at interior disruption the Steelers hoped for.

Harmon isn’t billed as a flashy stat-sheet stuffer yet, but CBS’ Chris Trapasso graded his debut a solid B- for his interior reach and pressure rate. He didn’t rack up tackles or a sack, but collapsing interior pockets is precisely what he was drafted to do, and a 10% pace from interior rushers is meaningful in the NFL. Pittsburgh plans to side Harmon with Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward, giving him veteran mentorship as he acclimates to pro life. Harmon’s 2024 college line—45 tackles, 11 TFL, five sacks—suggests a trajectory toward interior pressure as a long-term asset, potentially a steal in dynasty formats if he keeps advancing.

Hurleman and Jamison added to the depth storyline, offering viable roster cases behind the top options. Thompson’s presence adds a further layer of competition behind starter Kenny Pickett. For fantasy, the takeaway isn’t just the Week 1 results but the roster path these players may carve—Hurleman as a potential late-round flier for WR depth, Jamison as a developmental corner, Thompson as a superflex depth option, and Harmon as a high-upside interior pass-rusher with early-season upside in IDP formats. The Steelers’ interior line looks primed to threaten quarterbacks, potentially lifting defensive pressure numbers across the unit as Harmon's role expands.

Next up, Pittsburgh faces more preseason action as Harmon's role clarifies and the rest of the depth chart evolves. If Harmon, Benton, and Heyward can sustain pressure, fantasy managers should monitor the Steelers’ front for subtle IDP gains and late-season upside. Hurleman’s development and Jamison’s rookie-season trajectory will also feed into Steelers’ depth dynamics, reinforcing a roster that could offer sneaky upside in deeper formats as the season approaches.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for training camp with significant alterations to their offensive lineup. Among the key changes is the introduction of Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback, promising to revamp a unit that finished mid-tier in scoring and yards last season. The Steelers are looking to improve on their 16th ranking in scoring, 23rd in total yards, and a dismal 27th in passing yards from last year. In addition to Rodgers, the offense will feature new players such as running back Kaleb Johnson and wide receivers DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Robert Woods, alongside tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, and a revamped offensive line aimed at bolstering protection and run-blocking capabilities.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking decisive steps to enhance their run defense as they progress through the NFL Draft. General Manager Omar Khan made it clear with key selections aimed at reinforcing the team's defensive line. The first round saw the acquisition of defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, followed by the selection of Yahya Black in the fifth round from Iowa. Black brings notable stats, including 117 tackles and 5.5 sacks over five seasons, showcasing his prowess in halting the run game.

Black's role is anticipated to be multifaceted. With Keeanu Benton already holding down the nose tackle spot, Black is set to play as a four-technique lineman. His own words define him as a "run stopper guy," emphasizing his commitment to tackling and stopping plays directly at the line. This strategic shift aims to bolster the Steelers' defensive capabilities against the run, an area that has been a point of improvement for the squad. The Steelers are not just drafting talent; they are building a formidable defensive identity.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 draft class is shaping up to be a transformative group under new GM Omar Khan, with potential for four starters from seven selections. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones, now pivoting to left tackle, shows promise for a significant role. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is expected to rebound strongly in his second season, while defensive tackle Keeanu Benton will benefit from the presence of new teammate Derrick Harmon, enhancing the defensive line's strength. Tight end Darnell Washington is anticipated to increase his offensive output, particularly with QB Aaron Rodgers. Linebacker Nick Herbig stands ready as a formidable backup, and Cory Trice Jr. is in a competitive battle for the No. 3 cornerback spot, showcasing the depth and talent of this year's draft class.