Defensive Linemen: Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Derrick Harmon, Cameron Heyward, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomewo.
The fact that Cameron Heyward was the only member of the Steelers named to the 2025 Associated Press All-Pro team should be considered another feather in the cap of the venerable interior defensive lineman.
That Heyward will turn 37 in May shouldn't be considered a reason to rebuild the Steelers' defensive line. Aside from Heyward, it's a young group that might best be defined by the performances of rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black.
The performances of those two rookies, along with the increased production of third-year nose tackle Keeanu Benton, led to Heyward and Co. enjoying a solid final month of the season.
In the final four regular-season games, the Steelers allowed an average of 19 points and 317 yards per game and an average of 3.7 yards per carry. Much of that had to do with the play up front.
The biggest "square" of course was Heyward. In his 15th season, he played 823 snaps in 17 games, his highest total since 2021. Heyward led all Steelers defensive linemen with 78 combined tackles (fourth on the team) and registered 3.5 sacks, 9 tackles-for-loss, and 9 QB hits. He also batted 6 passes, just one off of the NFL lead for defensive linemen. It added up to Heyward being named second-team AP All-Pro, his sixth All-Pro honor, all since 2017.
His ways have rubbed off on the younger linemen. Benton marveled at the way Heyward ran 40 yards downfield in pursuit of Derrick Henry in the regular-season finale.
"That's why you see me doing it now," said Benton. "Seeing him, even in practice, it starts in practice with him turning and running. You see it on film. The young guys see it on film. You just see people start to change. … That just kind of waterfalls down to everybody."
It's certainly fallen upon Benton. The third-year player enjoyed career highs in starts (17), tackles (51), sacks (5.5), tackles-for-loss (6), and QB hits (12). His pass-rushing stats ranked first among Steelers defensive linemen and fourth overall behind the three OLBs.
Harmon, the Steelers' first-round draft pick last April, could be viewed as another grown-up. Although still only 22, Harmon played in 12 games (8 starts), made 27 tackles, compiled 3.5 sacks, with 5 QB hits.
A more revealing stat might be the team's overall run defense with and without Harmon. With him, the Steelers allowed 91 rushing yards per game at 4.0 per carry; without Harmon in the regular season, the Steelers allowed 166 rushing yards per game at 4.7 per carry.
The other rookie defensive tackle, Black, the fifth-round pick, saw significant playing time and even surpassed Harmon with 28 combined tackles. The 6-5, 336-pounder forced a pair of fumbles and recovered one in playing 17 games (3 starts).
Another youngster, Logan Lee, improved significantly by the end of the season as well, giving the Steelers four defensive linemen 25 years old or younger.
Esezi Otomewo, signed in free agency last spring, won't turn 28 until Dec. 30. He played in a career-high 173 snaps and 12 games this season and also contributed a sack.
The Steelers needed those young players to develop quickly after three veterans – Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Dean Lowry – went on injured reserve.
All three of the injured vets will have the potential to enter free agency in March, while Otomewo will be a restricted free agent.
