PFF Linebacker Rankings: Do Steelers Crack Top 10?

While the Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason revamping the offense, the defense has lagged behind. That’s by design – stagnation would be inevitable without upgrades under center, and giving Russell Wilson and Justin Fields the tools to succeed took priority.

The other side of the ball is expected to hold up their end of the bargain, helped out by key additions to the linebacking corps.

Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen to a three-year, $31 million deal in free agency, improving where the rival Baltimore Ravens got worse. In the third round, the Steelers struck again, adding the dynamic Payton Wilson.

PFF Linebacker Rankings: Do Steelers Crack Top 10?

Subsequently, Pittsburgh ranked 13th in Pro Football Focus’ linebacker unit rankings, perhaps a referendum on the unit’s upside and Queen’s standing as a good – but not great – middle linebacker.

“The Steelers made a splash at the linebacker position this offseason by bringing in Patrick Queen from the division-rival Baltimore Ravens,” Gordon McGuinness wrote. “Queen has improved every season since entering the league and is coming off a career-high 73.0 PFF grade. He has yet to turn 25 years old, so it’s reasonable to expect that he will continue to get better. Alongside him, Elandon Roberts posted a career-high 72.2 PFF grade on 622 snaps in 2023.”

For reference, the Ravens ranked sixth, while the Cleveland Browns fell to eighth and the Cincinnati Bengals to 14th.

That’s a pretty reasonable ranking, given the elite play of some of the league’s most dynamic linebackers. Where Pittsburgh might have been slanted, though, was in the possible lack of consideration given to Wilson.

It’s ambitious to expect any rookie to be a strong contributor from the start, but as the favorite for the Dime linebacker job, the Steelers are ensuring each of their talented linebackers is optimized and in a position to win.

With Queen in the fold, Roberts making appearances on early downs, and Wilson taking the field in obvious passing situations, Pittsburgh should be well-positioned at the second level, regardless of down or distance.

Ranking 13th may be closer to average than fans are hoping for, but the position is far from a weakness.