Each week, the Post-Gazette will recap the most interesting Steelers player grades released by Pro Football Focus, the scouting website that evaluates players’ performance on every play of every game. You can read more about the methodology here. For context, players are graded on a 0-100 scale.
Ben Roethlisberger (75.3) — Because we led with his struggles in this space last week, we need to give credit where it’s due, too. The veteran quarterback’s 236-yard, two-touchdown performance against Baltimore earned his second-highest grade of the season, trailing only his strong effort in Week 5 against Denver (77.1.) Now as then, he did so primarily by having success downfield. His 8.0-yard average depth of target (ADOT) was also his second-best mark of the season and well above his season average of 7.3. The average trails most of his peers significantly — he’s tied for 24th among 27 quarterbacks with at least 300 drop-backs in 2021. But he’s been at 8.0 or better in two of his past three games now. That number would put him mid-pack and just behind seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who’s currently 13th with an ADOT of 8.2. Translation: If Roethlisberger can keep hitting these deeper routes at the rate he has lately, he can be more of an asset to this team down the stretch than he’s been to this point. Easier said than done. Consistency is every quarterback’s greatest struggle. But there’s at least some hope in his profile now that still wasn’t apparent a week ago.
Diontae Johnson (85.7) — The veteran receiver has gotten mixed reviews because of his drop of a perfect Roethlisberger pass that would have resulted in a touchdown in the first half Sunday. The scouts, however, don’t think that’s fair to the effort he put forth otherwise. Eight catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns equals the offensive unit’s best grade of the week for them. He’s now earned a score of 74.5 or better in each of the past three games, and he also tops the offense’s season grade charts with a score of 80.0. That puts him ahead of widely celebrated rookies Pat Freiermuth (73.2) and Najee Harris (69.0.) Perhaps Johnson deserves similar shine and less focus on his rare mistakes.
Pass blocking (82.5) and run blocking (72.5) — What a two-week run for this offensive line. Before last week, it had not scored better than 69.5 in both blocking categories all season. Now, it’s done so in back-to-back weeks. The pass blocking this week, meanwhile, was the first blocking score over 80.0 all season, so it’s no wonder Roethlisberger was able to have more success downfield. Sometimes it’s as simple as giving him a bit more time. Individually, Trai Turner stuck out with his best grade of the season (84.1) Chuks Okorafor earned a grade of at least 74.1 for the second straight week and celebrated his first back-to-back scores over 70 all season. And much-maligned rookie Dan Moore Jr. absolutely mauled in pass protection, earning a score of 88.3 that’s among the entire line’s best performances in that area this season. Throw in a score of 68.8 for reserve lineman John Leglue, who stepped in for the injured B.J. Finney, and there’s a lot to like about the way this unit is playing right now.
Isaiahh Loudermilk (68.5) — The rookie still doesn’t get a ton of snaps, but boy, is he solid for the ones he plays. He’s now scored at 66.9 or better in six of his past seven games and his season score of 68.9 ranks fourth on the defense behind only Cam Heyward (91.3), T.J. Watt (89.6) and Chris Wormley (73.9) among active roster players with more than 10 snaps. Bet you didn’t see that coming. For all the talk about the defense’s lacking line depth without Tyson Alualu and Stephon Tuitt, Wormley has proven to be a bonafide asset, too. His 65.2 grade this week was less impressive than some he’s posted despite his 2 1/2 sacks, but he’s also been at that mark or better in six of his past seven. Pretty good for patchwork, and it’s hard not to wonder what Loudermilk can get similar run down the stretch.
Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.
First Published: December 7, 2021, 4:17 p.m.
