Upon Review: Grading the 2023 Steelers Defensive Line

Steel City Underground presents it’s ‘Upon Review’ series of Pittsburgh Steelers positional group grades for the 2023 NFL season with statistical analysis and performance reviews.

Heading into the 2023 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had high hopes for their defensive line following the addition of a draft selection that spring and thought they were solidly built. Due to an injury to a key veteran, the line was shuffled with mixed success.

The Steelers rostered the following defensive linemen last season: Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, and Armon Watts.

We look at the key players in our analysis in order to grade the overall performance of the positional group.

There is no doubt that Heyward was the experienced veteran voice on the D-line in 2023. Unfortunately, Heyward suffered a Week 1 injury that led to him missing six games. That led to Ogunjobi, who’s had his share on injuries, stepping into the veteran role while Heyward assisted from the sidelines.

The Steelers allowed 137.1 yards rushing per game to opponents during Heyward’s absence. Heyward returned mid-season (Week 9) and helped the line adjust; the defense allowed 99.6 rushing yards per game as a result.

Ogunjobi led all linemen in defensive snaps in his veteran role while recording two sacks and 43 tackles. Unexpectedly, and perhaps by necessity, the player nearest to his on-field time on the defensive line was Benton as a rookie.

Benton, selected in the second round of the draft, was called into regular service at nose tackle when Adams suffered an ankle injury. He proved to be a force to be reckoned with by leading the linemen with eight quarterback hits (tied with Ogunjobi), one sack, two forced fumbles, and 36 tackles.

Benton also took snaps at defensive end during Heyward’s time on the sidelines, proving versatility is a weapon the Steelers enjoy employing.

This was also a key to Pittsburgh giving Watts more playing time. Watts saw time with Benton in filling in for Adams and Heyward, recording 0.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and 15 tackles in just 273 defensive snaps.

The snap counts on defense for Leal and Loudermilk were 206 and 181, respectively. Leal was utilized more against opponents who used the pass versus Loudermilk being rotated in to help in run defense.

Final position group grade: C+

The group gave the Steelers defense just 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss in 2023. Those numbers were very nearly half the production the group had provided the season prior.

Heyward’s presence on the field made an obvious difference. That should be seen as a positive for the veteran while also a call-out for improvement from the other personnel playing beside and with him on the line.

This is a group that will need to improve heading into the 2024 NFL season if the Steelers hope to be competitive on the eve of Heyward’s career.