Predicting the Steelers starting defense ahead of training camp
· Yahoo Sports
Despite all the attention the Pittsburgh Steelers new staff have given to the offense, the team will still have the most expensive defense in the NFL in 2025.
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Defensive line
This trio returns, and we expect this group to be the strength of the defense. Derrick Harmon was almost unstoppable as a rookie last season when he was healthy and a full season should establish him as one of the top defensive linemen in the AFC. He's paired up with the ageless Cam Heyward and powerful nose tackle Keeanu Benton.
- Defensive tackle - Cam Hewyard
- Nose tackle - Keeanu Benton
- Defensive end - Derrick Harmon
Outside linebacker
This group should be the top group in the NFL but they have a lot of catching up to do after a miserable 2026 season. Being a stater in this group really means you are the first on the field but whether it's Alex Highsmith, T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig or Jack Sawyer, all guys will get reps and we hope the Steelers aren't afraid to play the hot hand, no matter who it is. We do expect a three-way split with Herbig after his massive contract extension.
- T.J. Watt
- Alex Highsmith
Inside linebacker
We expected the Steelers to deal Patrick Queen during the draft but with him still on the roster, he gets a starting spot by default. Queen will be joined by Payton Wilson. If the Steelers continue to shop Queen, Wilson will get more and more reps and he's our top defensive candidate to be a breakout star this season.
- Patrick Queen
- Payton WIlson
Cornerback
Pittsburgh let some of its top cornerbacks leave last season and paid for it when injuries hit. The team wasted no time in correcting that this offseason and here is where we see our first new starter on defense with Jamel Dean paired up with Joey Porter Jr. We also include Jalen Ramsey here at the No. 3 cornerback and drop in rookie Daylen Everett as our true nickel corner. Honestly, this is the deepest cornerback group the Steelers have had in 6-8 years.
- Joey Porter Jr.
- Jamel Dean
- Jalen Ramsey (SLOT)
- Daylen Everett
Safety
Safety is a position in flux and will be highly contested throughout training camp. We leave the option open for Jalen Ramsey to return to his spot at free safety where he dominated thanks to the depth at cornerback but for now, we give the nod to new safety Jaquan Brisker and lean in on Sebastian Castro and Robert Spears-Jennings developing quickly.
- Free safety - Jaquan Brisker
- Strong safety - DeShon Elliott
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Predicting the Steelers starting defense ahead of training camp