In what has been a rollercoaster of a season for Pittsburgh, the Steelers will take some solace in being recognized for their achievements. This morning, the NFL released the results of its annual Pro Bowl voting, with three Steelers joining the team. Those players are T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, and Ben Skowronek. All three players have had interesting journeys getting to this point in the season.
T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt made his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl this season, although he didn’t get there the way he probably expected. It’s been a bumpy season for Watt’s lofty standards, as he’s only registered 7 sacks in 13 games. Watt’s pass-rush win rate has dipped from where it was in prior seasons, and he’s not as quick off the ball as he used to be. That being said, Watt is still a Pro Bowl-level player who demands consistent attention from offenses every game. There’s a reason he’s still the most chipped player in the NFL by far.
T.J. Watt is still one of the stronger run defenders in the league, as teams have made it a point to avoid running to his side of the field. Even if Watt isn’t at his peak anymore, the Steelers still desperately need him for their defense and team to reach their full potential.
Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey has been asked to do just about everything for the Steelers this year. He’s played outside corner, slot corner, deep safety, box safety, you name it, he’s done it. Ramsey is playing all of these positions exceptionally well, but he thrives the most as a safety. It allows for Pittsburgh to unlock their younger talents at corner, like Joey Porter Jr. or Brandin Echols. Ramsey is an exceptional tackler in space and is asked to set the tone on defense more often than not.
On top of his versatility, Jalen Ramsey has brought leadership and Super Bowl experience to the Steelers. He has forced incompletions, made crucial tackles, and gotten clutch interceptions this year, most recently in week 16 against Detroit. Many Steeler fans questioned the Jalen Ramsey trade at the time, but he has proven to be worth the hype this season. His transition to multiple positions has been extremely helpful for the team.
Ben Skowronek
Ben Skowronek makes it on special teams this year, and he’s proven useful to Danny Smith’s unit. He is a great tackler in open space and rarely makes mistakes that flip the field. Skowronek is also useful on offense, often being asked to run block, which he’s been exceptional at his entire career. Skowronek is the exact type of Swiss-army-knife player that the Steelers covet. He only has four receptions and one touchdown on offense, but his impact as a tackler can’t be overstated. He has 20 tackles on special teams and a fumble recovery to boast. Special teams players don’t often get love, but Skowronek has gotten recognition for his mistake-free football and being the “glue guy” for the punt team.
Main Photo Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images