The 2018 Steelers defense was decent overall, ranking sixth in yards allowed per game (327.2) and 15th in points (22.5). But they struggled to get off the field in third-down situations. The Steelers defense was 6.6 percent better on a per-play basis than the average NFL defense on first downs last season, according to Football Outsiders. That ranked seventh-best among all clubs. They were a middle-of-the-road defense on second down (-0.3 percent worse than average per play, 17th among teams), and a lower-tier defense when they could have forced a punt. Pittsburgh’s D was 10.3 percent worse than the NFL average on third down, ranking 22nd. The hope in 2019 is that with continued front-seven pressure and improved pass defense, the Steelers can squelch the kind of long drives that dogged them last year.
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• Secondary depth: Why was bolstering the cornerback position such an imperative over the offseason? Because, while Joe Haden typically locked down their opponents’ top receiving target, other pass-catchers had a field day. On a per-play basis, the Steelers were 6 percent above average against opponents’ No. 1 wide receiver (10th among NFL teams). But they ranked 19th among No. 2 receivers (2.4 percent worse than average), and 25th versus third receivers (10.8 percent below average). With Haden still going strong, Steven Nelson and Justin Layne in the fold, and perhaps some growth from Cam Sutton (and who knows, maybe a return from the dead from Artie Burns), the Steelers are looking to contain secondary receiving options that torched them in 2018.
• ‘Backer coverage: The hoped-for improvements in pass defense won’t just come from the secondary. With first-round pick Devin Bush and free agent Mark Barron (a converted safety) getting lots of snaps in 2019, the Steelers will almost assuredly improve a glaring weakness in pass coverage at middle linebacker. In 2018, the since-released Jon Bostic allowed an average of 9.8 yards per reception on plays where he was targeted, according to Football Outsiders. That ranked 75th among NFL linebackers. Vince Williams — who may see a reduction from the 745 snaps that he took last year — was better, but hardly a standout (7.3 yards allowed per reception, 52nd among ‘backers). Bush, meanwhile, was considered one of the rangiest linebackers available in the 2019 draft, and Barron ranked 43rd in pass coverage last year at 6.9 yards allowed.
