I've written about Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave looking strong going into 2019, but I intentionally saved the best for last -- Cam Heyward.
Make no mistake, despite the rise of T.J. Watt, the pending contract situation and importance of Joe Haden, and the draft investment to get Devin Bush, this is still Heyward's defense. He's been the centerpiece who fires up the team and sets the tone.
Here's why that will remain the case:
The Steelers have had several good defensive lineman over the past 15 years, but Heyward is among the best in that time, as both a leader and an interior pass rusher. Twelve sacks in 2017 and eight sacks in 2018 from a lineman lining up inside of the tackles is great production, but his work also helps other players produce.
Watch how Heyward is able to collapse this pocket on Joe Flacco, forcing him on the run so that Tuitt's wide path around the pocket takes him right to the quarterback. He dominates his gap:
Heyward also lines up all over the defensive front. He has been on the edge, in three-technique, and even zero-technique. For those who aren't familiar, these techniques are about which gap you line up in to attack an offensive line. A zero technique means lining up directly over the center, the most difficult position to be effective from, in general terms.
Great players from the zero technique are few and far between, but they include the likes of Warren Sapp and Steelers legend Joe Greene. Heyward doesn't line up consistently there, but he's productive. Here he is lined up against the Jaguars and uses quick footwork to work around Hargrave's stunt to crash the pocket and sack Blake Bortles:
But Heyward isn't just nimble from that spot, he can completely destroy centers and blow up plays. Watch how he crushes Denver's Conner McGovern by driving him all the way back into Case Keenum. Hargrave also gets into the pocket, but it's Heyward's push that gives him nowhere to run and closes off any escape:
Heyward isn't just a strong player, he's a strong voice for the team. While everyone is talking about the young talent on the team and the future of the defense, don't forget there is a face to this unit — the 30 year old is entering his ninth season — who has carried the torch and pushed them to lead the NFL in sacks for two consecutive seasons.
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