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Cam Heyward Tabbed as Second-Best Player in NFL
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- Cam Heyward Tabbed as Second-Best Player in NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward at OTAs on May 27, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward received a ringing endorsement from Pro Football Network , as the outlet named him the second-best player in the NFL.
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was ranked No. 99, while T.J. Watt was tabbed as the 27th-best player in PFN's rankings. Heyward ranked ahead of Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones , Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett . Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was ranked No. 1.
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"Even at 36 years old, Cameron Heyward is still showcasing elite defensive line play. He led the league in defensive stops with 47, a testament to his disruptive presence against both the run and pass. Among DTs, he ranked fifth in total pressures (56) and recorded 8.0 sacks," PFN wrote.
"His 12% pressure rate ranked ninth, highlighting his efficiency and relentless motor on every down. Heyward's impact extended beyond the stat sheet, anchoring a Steelers defense that relied on his veteran leadership and playmaking ability. He tallied 12 quarterback hits (ninth) and recorded 71 total tackles, including 35 solo stops."
"Heyward's ability to generate pressure while maintaining gap discipline made him a cornerstone of Pittsburgh's defensive front. He's heading into Year 15, but his production and consistency have remained among the NFL's elite."
Heyward came in at No. 83 on the annual NFL Top 100 list, so it's interesting that PFN had the future Hall of Famer all the way at No. 2. He probably should be higher than No. 83, but tabbed as the second-best player in the league is certainly high praise.
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"The old man is doing it good right now. I can't describe it," Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen said of Heyward. "I think it's what, Year 15 for him? It's just crazy."
The Steelers saw Cam Heyward's career resurgence in 2024 . This came after an injury-plagued 2023. Pro Football Focus recently ranked him as the third-best interior defensive lineman .
He ranked only behind Kansas City's Chris Jones and New York's Dexter Lawrence . The 15-year veteran is coming off of a remarkable turnaround from one of his best seasons last year.
Heyward, who turned 36 this past month, finished 2024 with eight sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and a career-high 11 pass deflections. This effort earned him his seventh career Pro Bowl and fourth All-Pro honors.
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"You know, Cam Hewyard, I got to block twice a year for the last 11 years. He doesn't get older. He just keeps on staying the same and doing his job," Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio said. His bull rush, his long arm with that left arm is still deadly as any move in the league."
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson added, "He has very strong hands and once they hit you, man, it's hard to get them off. They're like concrete blocks."
Despite drafting Derrick Harmon in the first-round and Keeanu Benton two years ago, Heyward doesn't see this year as a " passing of the torch .
"I think you don't really think about passing the torch right now," Heyward said at OTA's. "I think it's about, 'How can we make this team the best it can be?' It's not about holding secrets or anything. It's about making sure we're all growing at a pace that, by Week 1, we're ready to kick this thing up."
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Jobe Morrison contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Cam Heyward Tabbed as Second-Best Player in NFL
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