Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Hardest matchups for the secondary in 2019

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a top 10 run and pass defense, but the secondary will struggle against these three wide receivers in 2019.

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly finished 10th in pass defense for the 2018 season. The stereotype around the Steelers the past few seasons has been that the offense does everything, and the defense just struggles to get by. Statistically, that wasn’t the case in 2018.

One reason the Steelers secondary takes so much heat is that it lacks a star player. Yes, Joe Haden is there, but the nine-year veteran hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2014. When comparing the current group to the unit that was there when the Steelers were winning Super Bowls, it becomes pretty clear to see why this current group takes a lot of heat.

There’s no Troy Polamalu flying around and there isn’t even a long-time Steeler like Ike Taylor or occasional Pro Bowler like Ryan Clark.

There are also some players in the secondary that have drawn criticism in the past. Recently, the Steelers selected safety Terrell Edmunds with the 28th pick in the 2018 draft and cornerback Artie Burns with the 25th pick in the 2016 draft.

Burns looks like a bust already and likely won’t return to the team after this coming season. Edmunds is better, but he wasn’t even projected to be a first-round pick. He was actually at the draft to see Tremaine Edmunds, his brother, be selected and was surprised to hear his name called.

Still, Pittsburgh’s secondary played better than they’re given credit for in 2018. The defense as a whole was actually a lot better than what a lot of people were expecting.

Even if the secondary is stepping up though, it will struggle to control the following wide receivers in 2019.