Behind the Steel Curtain
The Pittsburgh Steelers had just two representatives on veteran CBS Sports columnist Pete Prisco’s annual Top 100 NFL Players rankings, with defensive stalwarts Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt earning recognition among the league’s elite.
Heyward checked in at No. 39 overall, continuing to defy Father Time as he enters his 16th NFL season.
“Age isn’t slowing down this 37-year-old interior defender,” Prisco wrote. “He had one of his best seasons in 2025. He is a force against the run and as a pass rusher.”
The ranking represents only a slight drop from last year, when Heyward was slotted at No. 37. Despite being one of the oldest defensive players in the league, the Steelers captain continues to perform at an All-Pro level. After recording another dominant campaign in 2025, Heyward remains the centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s defensive front and one of the most respected leaders in the organization.
His continued excellence has been critical for a Steelers defense that has relied heavily on veteran leadership while integrating younger contributors around him. Even at 37, Heyward continues to show why he is considered one of the best defensive linemen of his generation.
The more surprising ranking involved outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who came in at No. 88 on Prisco’s list.
“His production has dipped since he recorded 19 sacks in 2023,” Prisco wrote. “He had just 7 last season as he battled injuries, limiting him to 14 games.”
The ranking marks a dramatic fall from last year, when Prisco placed Watt at No. 11 overall. Watt’s 2025 season was undoubtedly impacted by injuries, and his seven sacks represented his lowest full-season total in years. However, many around the league still view the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year as one of football’s premier edge rushers.
What may stand out most from Prisco’s rankings is the absence of any Steelers offensive players. Despite significant investments on that side of the ball in recent years, Pittsburgh failed to place a single offensive player among the NFL’s top 100 according to Prisco.
For a franchise built on defensive excellence, the list serves as another reminder that the Steelers’ national reputation continues to be driven primarily by stars on that side of the football. While Heyward and Watt remain among the league’s most respected defenders, Pittsburgh will likely need offensive playmakers to emerge if it hopes to make a serious push in the AFC this season.
What do you think of Prisco’s rankings? Were Heyward and Watt ranked appropriately?Did more Steelers derserve to make the list? Let us know who and how you’d rank them in the comment section! Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
