Pittsburgh Steelers: Ranking the 10 best players of the past decade
By Samuel Teets
10. Heath Miller, TE
The Steelers drafted Miller with the 30th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. While the two-time Pro Bowler only played for six seasons during the 2010s, he quickly cemented himself as the greatest tight end in team history.
In his final six seasons, Miller accumulated 348 receptions, 3,848 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. He made his second Pro Bowl in 2012, setting career-highs with 816 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
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While he never reached an All-Pro level, Miller remains one of the most-beloved Steelers of all-time. To this day, fans still chant “HEEEAAATTTHHH” whenever a Pittsburgh tight end makes a big play. Miller ingrained himself in the franchise’s history.
Despite still competing at a high level, he retired following the 2015 season. The Steelers are still searching for Miller’s replacement. While Jesse James and Vance McDonald offered temporary solutions, the team needs a new security blanket for Ben Roethlisberger.
9. T.J. Watt, OLB
The Steelers struck gold with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 draft. The franchise selected J.J. Watt‘s younger brother, T.J. The younger brother wasted no time making an impact. In his first season, he recorded seven sacks, surpassing his brother’s rookie total.
However, the Wisconsin product came into his own the following season. In 2018, Watt racked up 13 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 68 tackles, and six forced fumbles. He assumed the role previously held by James Harrison, Joey Porter and Greg Lloyd as Pittsburgh’s top pass rusher.
Watt took another important step this past season, and that’s what solidified his position on this list. In 2019, the Associated Press selected Watt as a First-Team All-Pro. The Wisconsin product also heard his name tossed around in the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) conversation.
With 14.5 sacks, 36 quarterback hits, 55 tackles, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions, Watt’s incredible seasons parallels Harrison’s 2008 DPOY run. Hopefully, Watt continues his dominance in the next decade.