Two Pittsburgh Steelers defenders, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, secured spots on Pete Prisco鈥檚 annual top-100 player list, released by CBS Sports. Heyward ranked 39th, while Watt fell to 88th, down significantly from his previous year鈥檚 11th position. Watt鈥檚 drop is attributed to a disappointing season, marked by injury and a career-low of 7 sacks. Meanwhile, Heyward, aged 37, has maintained strong performance despite slight decreases in his sack numbers, emphasizing his prowess against the run.

By the Numbers
  • Cam Heyward ranked 39th on the list, up from 37th in 2025.
  • T.J. Watt fell to 88th, down from 11th in 2025, with sack totals declining from 19 to 7 over two seasons.
Yes, But

Notable absences from the list include emerging players like CB Joey Porter Jr. and EDGE Alex Highsmith, highlighting the subjective nature of such rankings and the potential for debate regarding player performances.

State of Play
  • Watt faces increasing pressure to improve his performance to maintain his spot on future lists.
  • Heyward continues to excel and has a contract extension keeping him in Pittsburgh through 2027, with an adjusted snap count for better performance longevity.
What's Next

The Steelers anticipate a bounce-back season for Watt in 2026, which could lead to more players making the top-100 list if they perform well, especially given the rising talent within the team.

Bottom Line

For the Steelers, success in the upcoming season relies on Watt's resurgence alongside Heyward's continued excellence, potentially increasing their representation in notable player rankings.