It has been quite a busy off-season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be a very different team than the one that left the field at the end of the 2021 season. Of all the Steelers newcomers, which one stands to make the biggest impact in 2022? Here is our list of the top 5 players who’ll make the biggest impact in 2022:
5. Larry Ogunjobi:
Larry Ogunjobi was among the last free agent signings, but he may be the best of the bunch. The caveat of course is is he healthy enough be at full strength for the entire season. Oganjobi failed a physical just as he was about to sign a long term contract with the Chicago Bears in March. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/larry-ogunjobi-failed-physical-blocks-bears-deal/
If he indeed is fully recovered from off-season surgery, this is a player who could replace Stephon Tuitt without much of a drop off. The combination of him, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith would give the Steelers an elite pass rush group.
4. Mitch Trubisky:
In a perfect world Mitch Trubisky would be number one on this list. Early training camp reports are dampening our enthusiasm so far. It is still very early, and Trubisky still has time to take the reigns as the starting quarterback on this team. If he ever reaches the expectations of being the former second overall pick in the draft, he easily becomes the most impactful Steelers newcomer. For now we will take the conservative approach and leave him at number four.
3. Myles Jack:
Have the Steelers finally filled the black hole at inside linebacker? Early camp reports look pretty good on Myles Jack. This team has struggled to fill this position ever since the injury to Ryan Shazier. An above average year from an inside linebacker would make a world of difference for this defense, particularly against the run.
2. James Daniels:
Nowhere on this roster was the need for improvement greater than along the offensive line. Will the Steelers offensive line be their undoing in 2021?
James Daniels is an enormous upgrade for this beleaguered group. He could in fact go down as one of Kevin Colbert’s best free agent signings. Still only 25 years of age, Daniel’s best football is ahead of him. The Steelers got themselves a young, Pro-Bowl caliber guard on a $8 million per year contract. He should help turn around what was one of the worst offensive lines in 2021.
1. George Pickens:
We are officially all aboard the George Pickens hype train. The Steelers have been looking for this kind of athletic freak to play on the outside ever since the departure of Martavis Bryant. With Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool garnering all the attention, Pickens should find himself matched up with the third best corner most game days. That will lead to some monster games for the Steelers rookie. It is not far fetched to say that Pickens should be in the running for offensive rookie of the year. Provided of course the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh doesn’t completely crater. Look for big things from George Pickens in 2022, very big things.