Steelers Top 5 Ranked PFF Stable Metrics Defensive Linemen

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 10, 2026, 7:13 AM

Countdown to Latrobe

  • July 8 – Safeties
  • July 9 – Offensive Line
  • July 10 – Defensive Line
  • July 11 – Cornerbacks
  • July 12 – Linebackers
  • July 13 -Running Backs
  • July 14 – Tight Ends
  • July 15 – Wide Receivers
  • July 16 – Quarterbacks
  • July 17 – Specialists (K, P, LS)
  • July 18 – Final 53-Man Thoughts

Training camp is where reputations are challenged and jobs are won. Every summer, a handful of players emerge from relative obscurity, veterans reinvent themselves, and position battles reshape the depth chart before Week 1 ever arrives.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll break down the projected Steelers starters one position at a time using PFF’s IQ Stable/Unstable metrics, traditional production, film study and NFL scouting principles.

The objective isn’t simply to tell you who is starting.

It’s to explain why.

Each day we’ll examine the traits that consistently translate to winning football, identify areas where players remain volatile, and discuss how those strengths and weaknesses fit into Mike McCarthy’s vision for the 2026 Steelers.

Some metrics will confirm what the eye already sees.

Others may challenge long-held opinions.

That’s the beauty of football. One statistic never tells the entire story, but when paired with film and context, it helps paint a much clearer picture.

PFF Grades: Steelers Top 5 Defensive Lineman Rankings

  • Cam Heyward 90.4
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day 66.6
  • Keeanu Benton 58.2
  • Derrick Harmon 49.9
  • Yahya Black 49.9

 

Steelers Stable Metrics: Cameron Heyward Remains the Gold Standard

Age hasn’t caught Cameron Heyward. At least not according to PFF’s stable metrics.

While many defensive linemen experience declining production in their mid-30s, Heyward continues producing elite numbers in nearly every predictive category. His profile isn’t built on splash plays or reputation it is built on winning consistently against both the run and the pass.

The Steelers have built one of the NFL’s deepest defensive fronts, but Heyward remains the foundation. Every young defensive lineman in the room has the luxury of learning beside one of the league’s most complete interior defenders.

Heyward’s PFF Stable Metrics

  • Pass Rush Grade – 95th percentile
  • True Pass Rush Grade – 88th percentile
  • Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action) – 90th percentile
  • Pass Rush Win Rate – 96th percentile
  • Run Defense Grade – 97th percentile
  • Run Stop Percentage – 94th percentile

Heyward’s Player Outlook

There simply isn’t a weakness in Heyward’s stable profile.

Elite against the run. Elite rushing the passer. Elite finishing plays.

Even entering another season, he remains the standard every Steelers defensive lineman is chasing. If these metrics carry over, Pittsburgh once again has one of football’s premier defensive tackles anchoring the middle of its defense. Heyward might be chasing Father-time rather than the other way around. Hence his outstanding play at 37 years of age.

Steelers Stable Metrics: Sebastian Joseph-Day Brings Proven Run Defense

Sebastian Joseph-Day is far from a household name. I would give him nod of approval this spring watching him on the Southside of Pittsburgh. Entering his eighth season in the National Football League, the Steelers are his fifth team since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

He is there to strengthen one of the NFL’s deepest defensive lines. Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton start alongside Heyward, but Joseph-Day earns his money.

His stable metrics show exactly why Pittsburgh targeted the veteran. Joseph-Day remains one of the better run defenders in football while providing dependable interior play snap after snap.

He may never produce gaudy sack numbers, but stopping the run has always been his calling card.

Joseph-Day’s PFF Stable Metrics

  • Pass Rush Grade – 50th percentile
  • True Pass Rush Grade – 50th percentile
  • Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action) – 33rd percentile
  • Pass Rush Win Rate – 51st percentile
  • Run Defense Grade – 84th percentile
  • Run Stop Percentage – 96th percentile

Joseph-Day’s Player Outlook

Joseph-Day gives Pittsburgh exactly what championship defenses need.

He occupies blockers, limits rushing lanes and consistently finishes running plays.

He’ll be the first off the bench to allow a quick breather for the trio of Heyward, Benton and Harmon.

Steelers Stable Metrics: Keeanu Benton Looking to Take the Next Step

Keeanu Benton has flashed enough during his first two NFL seasons to suggest his ceiling remains considerably higher than where his current stable metrics sit.

His profile paints the picture of a player capable of disrupting quarterbacks while still developing into a complete defensive tackle.

The talent is obvious. The consistency is what comes next.

Benton’s PFF Stable Metrics

  • Pass Rush Grade – 74th percentile
  • True Pass Rush Grade – 58th percentile
  • Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action) – 45th percentile
  • Pass Rush Win Rate – 73rd percentile
  • Run Defense Grade – 37th percentile
  • Run Stop Percentage – 82nd percentile

Benton’s Player Outlook

Benton hits free agency in 2027 unless he signs a new contract with Pittsburgh. His expanded role coincides with him wanting to show up and show out for big money after the season.

His pass-rush traits continue trending upward, while improving his overall run-defense grade could unlock another level of production.

With Heyward still leading the room, Benton has an ideal opportunity to become Pittsburgh’s next impact defensive tackle.

Steelers Stable Metrics: Derrick Harmon Begins His NFL Journey

First-round picks always arrive carrying expectations. Harmon delivered in his rookie campaign last season. Twelve games along with eight starts after missing time with two separate knee injuries.

His stable profile reflects a prospect whose biggest strength is stopping the run, while his pass-rushing game still requires refinement as he transitions to the NFL.

Fortunately for Harmon, he’ll learn from one of football’s best.

Harmon’s PFF Stable Metrics

  • Pass Rush Grade – 21st percentile
  • True Pass Rush Grade – 21st percentile
  • Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action) – 22nd percentile
  • Pass Rush Win Rate – 25th percentile
  • Run Defense Grade – 42nd percentile
  • Run Stop Percentage – 55th percentile

Harmon’s Player Outlook

The 21st first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers should feel confident they’ve found a solid contributor on defense. However, solid contributor isn’t good enough when drafted in round one. One must be a disruptor not contributor.

Steelers Stable Metrics: Yahya Black Built to Stop the Run

Yahya Black is built to defend the run. When watching practice, it’s a common theme amongst media to marvel at his size compared to the other giant human’s next to him in helmets.

His stable metrics reveal a player whose pass-rush development remains a work in progress, but one capable of becoming a dependable early-down defender. More importantly, Pittsburgh 3-4 defense has Black occupying space for their outside linebackers to blitz.

His size and physicality fit exactly what the Steelers value up front.

Black’s PFF Stable Metrics

  • Pass Rush Grade – 12th percentile
  • True Pass Rush Grade – 13th percentile
  • Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action) – 2nd percentile
  • Pass Rush Win Rate – 8th percentile
  • Run Defense Grade – 31st percentile
  • Run Stop Percentage – 78th percentile

Black’s Player Outlook

Black’s path to playing time begins against the run.

If he can continue improving his pass-rush ability under Patrick Graham and alongside veterans like Heyward, he has an opportunity to carve out an important rotational role while developing into a more complete defensive lineman.

Steelers Defensive Interior Stable Metrics Rankings

Pass Rush Grade

  • Cameron Heyward (95th)
  • Keeanu Benton (74th)
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (50th)
  • Derrick Harmon (21st)
  • Yahya Black (12th)

True Pass Rush Grade

  • Cameron Heyward (88th)
  • Keeanu Benton (58th)
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (50th)
  • Derrick Harmon (21st)
  • Yahya Black (13th)

Pass Rush Grade (No Play Action)

  • Cameron Heyward (90th)
  • Keeanu Benton (45th)
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (33rd)
  • Derrick Harmon (22nd)
  • Yahya Black (2nd)

Pass Rush Win Percentage

  • Cameron Heyward (96th)
  • Keeanu Benton (73rd)
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (51st)
  • Derrick Harmon (25th)
  • Yahya Black (8th)

Run Defense Grade

  • Cameron Heyward (97th)
  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (84th)
  • Derrick Harmon (42nd)
  • Keeanu Benton (37th)
  • Yahya Black (31st)

Run Stop Percentage

  • Sebastian Joseph-Day (96th)
  • Cameron Heyward (94th)
  • Keeanu Benton (82nd)
  • Yahya Black (78th)
  • Derrick Harmon (55th)

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com

 

 

 

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