Making the Defensive Participant of the 12 months case for Pittsburgh Steelers Dl Cameron Heyward

• Historic manufacturing at Cameron Heyward‘s age: His 90.6 grade is the very best ever for any defensive participant 35 years or older (min. 300 snaps).

• Elite in a number of departments: Heyward is one in all two defenders with a 90.0-plus pass-rushing and 80.0-plus run-defense grade.

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Estimated studying time: 4 minutes

When the Pittsburgh Steelers gave Cameron Heyward a two-year, $29 million extension earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season, eyebrows had been raised. In any case, Heyward was coming off a really disappointing 2023 through which he recorded only a 73.1 total grade, with pass-rushing and run-defense grades under 68.0. On high of that, Heyward was getting into his age-35 season after taking part in solely 497 snaps due to a nagging groin harm.

Because it seems, Steelers common supervisor Omar Khan knew precisely what he was doing on reflection. Heyward has been flat-out dominant this yr, bouncing again in a significant method — and making a reputable case to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

Heyward’s 90.6 total grade is fifth amongst all defensive gamers, plus one of the best amongst all inside defensive linemen — a place that features perennial forces in Dexter Lawrence and Chris Jones. Merely viewing Heyward’s elite total grade doesn’t do it justice: his 90.6 grade is the very best ever for any defensive participant 35 years or older. In different phrases, gamers are virtually by no means this good this late into their careers.

Cameron Heyward‘s 12 months-to-12 months Enchancment

Reaching the 90.0 threshold is spectacular sufficient for any participant, however taking a deeper dive into Heyward’s season reveals how he’s performed higher than ever. Heyward’s 90.0 pass-rushing grade is the very best in his storied 14-year profession, as is his 16.2% pass-rush win price, which ties for the ninth-highest amongst all defensive gamers.

As an alternative of regressing, Heyward is arguably peaking.

What renders Heyward that rather more spectacular is his down-to-down dominance towards both the cross or run. The three-time All-Professional has earned an 80.2 run-defense grade, reaching a quantity that prime for the primary time since 2021. In actual fact, Heyward is one in all two NFL defenders to have a 90.0-plus pass-rushing and 80.0-plus run-defense grade, becoming a member of Lions security Brian Department.

Heyward has victimized even the league’s most seasoned guards on a weekly foundation, however he’s actually carved out a distinct segment this yr by getting his lengthy arms as much as disrupt ball accuracy. Heyward’s seven batted passes are probably the most within the league and tied for the second-most in his profession. These deflections have had tangible impacts on video games, whether or not by producing interceptions or serving to Pittsburgh get off the sector on third down.

Few would have batted a watch if Heyward had been taking part in solely about 50-60% of snaps. As an alternative, he’s performed 71.1% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, along with his 529 snaps rating 18th amongst all defensive linemen. It’s not simply Heyward’s manufacturing when on the sector, however the truth he’s capable of stand up to such a excessive quantity of reps at this age that makes his season so unbelievable. His capacity to remain on the sector is a crucial motive why Pittsburgh ranks fourth in EPA allowed per play.

Admittedly, Heyward ranks solely 20th amongst defensive gamers in PFF Wins Above Substitute, together with behind 4 different defensive linemen and edge rushers (Aidan Hutchinson, Jones, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt). But the race to win 2024 Defensive Participant of the 12 months doesn’t essentially boast many clear-cut favorites, making Heyward’s case far more compelling.

Garrett (92.4 pass-rushing grade) is probably going the favourite to repeat, whereas Watt (league-best 92.5 total grade) has made an influence regardless of a waning pass-rush win price. Different candidates would determine to incorporate Trey Hendrickson (59 pressures, 86.4 total grade), Patrick Surtain II (0.52 WAR), Jonathan Greenard (league-high 60 pressures) and Kerby Joseph (91.1 protection grade).

Sure, Garrett seems a worthy candidate to take residence the {hardware} for a second straight yr. However factoring in his nearly historic mixture of age and prowess towards each the cross and run, Heyward ought to obtain votes so as to add one other honor to his well-decorated resume — one bordering on Canton.