Fansided

5 breakout stars to watch for Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 24: Benny Snell Jr #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: Chris Wormley #93 of the Baltimore Ravens lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 29: Chris Wormley #93 of the Baltimore Ravens lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4. NT Chris Wormley

While the Pittsburgh Steelers’ unprecedented tradition of sending linebackers to the Pro Bowl is unprecedented, the team is also had its share of star defensive lineman. Obviously, the fabled “Steel Curtain” of the 1970s was led by “Mean” Joe Greene and fellow defensive tackle Ernie Holmes and ends L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White.

These days, the Steelers are a 3-4 defense. And a little over a decade ago, a line of ends Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel and nose tackle Casey Hampton were pivotal pieces in the team’s Super Bowl XLIII championship season of 2008.

Recently, Mike Tomlin’s club has featured a solid three-man front of ends Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave. Far from surprising, the latter moved on this offseason and signed a lucrative deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hence general manager Kevin Colbert swung a deal with the rival Ravens – of all teams – and acquired interior defender Chris Wormley and a seventh-round pick in 2021 for a fifth-round selection the same year.

A third-round pick by Baltimore in 2017, the former Michigan Wolverine has played in every game for the team the past two seasons. The imposing 6’5”, 300-pound pro totaled 33 tackles and 1.5 sacks in ’19 and can play inside or outside in the 3-4. And a fulltime position could add up to a huge year for the versatile pro.

Next: No. 3

Home/Pittsburgh Steelers