Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 X-factors for the 2019 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of a disappointing 2018 season. These three X-factors could help get the team back into the playoffs.

Even with the departures of several star players this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have plenty of Pro Bowlers and All-Pros. Ultimately, the team needs more players to rise and become X-factors. There’s no Troy Polamalu on the defensive side of the ball right now. Even the offense, which has become the center of the team, is missing a certain spark.

Therefore, it’s time to focus on players who could become game-changers in 2019. While most of these players already have established reputations, better production from them could transform the Steelers into a juggernaut.

Of course, there’s the chance that all three of these players disappoint in 2019, but this article highlights the major impacts these players will have by shining or shrinking on the big stage.

Terrell Edmunds, S

Terrell Edmunds was a surprising first-round selection for the Steelers last year. Many mock drafts didn’t have him coming off of the board that early, and, at the time, it looked like Pittsburgh reached to get a safety. That left Edmunds open to extra scrutiny when the season began.

The young safety did get a lot of snaps in his rookie season, starting 15 of his 16 appearances. While it seems logical to say Edmunds getting so many reps is good, previous Pittsburgh rookie defenders never saw the field that much.

Edmunds didn’t make much of an impression either, which could be a good thing. Yes, he made the occasional mistake, most rookies do, but he wasn’t blowing assignments and coverages left and right. That’s Artie Burns‘ job.

The way Edmunds finished the season has analysts and fans believing he can make a jump as a sophomore. In an article for NFL.com, Hall of Fame scout and talent evaluator Gil Brandt listed Edmunds as one the defensive backs he believes are primed for breakout seasons. Edmunds finished last season with 78 combined tackles, one sack, four passes defensed and an interception.

Pittsburgh used to have two of the more reliable safeties manning their defensive backfield in Ryan Clark and Polamalu. While those Steelers defenses had other anchors, those two players were crucial to the team’s postseason successes during their careers. Now, the Steelers are searching for stability in the defensive backfield. Hopefully, Edmunds will become the nucleus for that unit.