We are just a month from the start of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp when the team and a huge chunk of Steeler Nation will descend on Latrobe as the team prepares for the 2026 season. Here are our top five players on defense and should things go according to plan with the new coaching staff, they will be among the best impact players in the AFC.
1. T.J. Watt (OLB)
Even with a slight drop in pass-rush metrics last season by his astronomical standards (finishing with 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 14 games), Watt remains the absolute engine of this defense. When healthy, his presence impacts how opposing offenses game-plan entirely, and a bounce-back year under new DC Patrick Graham is widely expected.
2. Cameron Heyward (DT)
The ageless anchor up front defying Father Time. Coming off his 15th season, Heyward earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2025 by racking up 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits. His leadership and downfield hustle set an example to the younger core.
3. Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
Porter Jr. completely solidified himself as a premier shutdown cornerback last season. Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating under 60 when targeting him, and he led the team with 14 passes defensed. He takes the top cornerback spot on the roster by a wide margin.
4. Jalen Ramsey (CB/S)
The highly anticipated veteran secondary addition had a fascinating 2025 campaign, racking up a career-high 88 tackles and earning his eighth Pro Bowl nod. He showed immense versatility by moving to safety out of necessity due to injuries, but he remains one of the most lethal chess pieces in the defensive backfield.
5. Nick Herbig (OLB)
It is incredibly difficult to leave a first-round talent like defensive end Derrick Harmon off this list, but Herbig makes it impossible based on pure efficiency. Serving as a rotational edge rusher, his high-motor efficiency paired with Highsmith to combine for 17 sacks last year, proving he’s a premium defender who would start on a dozen other NFL franchises.
Honorable mentions
We labored our No. 5 player here and while we settled on Herbig, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the other three players who were in the running. Harmon and Wilson in particular are two of our biggest breakout candidates for the upcoming season and in the new scheme, Highsmith has the same shot to bounce back like T.J. Watt.
Derrick Harmon (DT)
Alex Highsmith (EDGE)
Payton Wilson (LB)
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp preview: Ranking the 5 best players on defense
