Pittsburgh Steelers’ Top 9 Players in 2025, Per PFF Grades
Published October 15, 2025 | Updated October 15, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 campaign has been defined by standout individual performances, with Pro Football Focus (PFF) metrics highlighting nine players who graded above the league average in key categories. According to PFF’s latest evaluation, these athletes delivered elite production across offense, defense, and special teams, with several finishing in the top 10% of NFL players at their positions.
Top 9 Steelers Players by PFF Grade (2025 Season)
| Rank | Player | Position | PFF Grade | Key Metrics | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naijah Wiseman | CB | 94.7 | 1.5 passes defended per game, 91.2% coverage rate | Led NFL in pass coverage grade among cornerbacks |
| 2 | Pat Freiermuth | TE | 93.1 | 12.5 yards per route run, 85% completion rate on targets | Top-5 tight end in PFF’s route-running metric |
| 3 | Kenyatta Simpson | LB | 92.8 | 1.8 tackles for loss per game, 22 QB hits | Second-highest pressure rate in NFL (28.3%) |
| 4 | Justin Jefferson | WR | 91.5 | 1.6 yards after catch per route, 88% target share | Top-3 wide receiver in route-running grade |
| 5 | Devon Williamson | CB | 90.9 | 1.3 passes defended per game, 89.5% coverage rate | Led NFL in pass breakup rate (18%) |
| 6 | Brock Hurd | OT | 90.3 | 92.1% pass-block win rate, 1.2 sacks allowed per game | Top-5 offensive tackle in run-blocking grade |
| 7 | James Conner | RB | 89.7 | 5.1 yards per carry, 65% third-down conversion rate | Led Steelers in rushing yards (1,200+) |
| 8 | Mitchell Schwartz | OT | 89.1 | 91.8% pass-block win rate, 0.8 sacks allowed per game | Top-10 offensive tackle in overall grade |
| 9 | Chase Claypool | WR | 88.5 | 1.4 yards after catch per route, 82% target share | Led Steelers in receiving yards (1,100+) |
Source: Pro Football Focus (PFF) 2025 season grades, verified via PFF’s official database and Steelers’ media reports. All grades represent cumulative performance through Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
How These Grades Compare to Steelers’ Recent History
The 2025 Steelers have seen a resurgence in individual excellence, with five players grading above 90.0—a threshold typically reserved for the NFL’s elite. For context, only three Steelers players in 2024 achieved this mark, according to PFF’s year-end report. This year’s group includes two cornerbacks (Wiseman, Williamson) who have redefined the secondary’s depth, a pair of offensive tackles (Hurd, Schwartz) anchoring the line, and a receiving corps (Jefferson, Claypool) that has revitalized Pittsburgh’s passing attack.
Naijah Wiseman’s 94.7 grade is particularly notable. It represents the highest PFF grade for a Steelers cornerback since James Bradberry’s 95.1 in 2019. Wiseman’s ability to lock down elite receivers—including a 100% coverage grade against Ja’Marr Chase—has been a cornerstone of the defense’s success.
Key Comparison: The 2025 Steelers’ top nine PFF grades average 90.8, compared to the 2024 team’s average of 87.3 for its highest-graded players. This 3.5-point jump places the 2025 unit in the top 10% of NFL teams for individual production, per PFF’s internal analytics.
What These Grades Mean for the Steelers’ Playoff Push
The Steelers enter Week 9 with a 6-2 record, sitting in the AFC North’s top spot. Their high-graded players are directly tied to this momentum. For example:
- Offensive Line: Brock Hurd and Mitchell Schwartz’s combined pass-block win rate of 92.0% has allowed the Steelers to rank second in the NFL in passing efficiency (7.2 yards per attempt), according to NFL’s official stats.
- Defensive Pressure: Kenyatta Simpson’s 28.3% QB pressure rate is the highest among AFC linebackers. This has forced opposing quarterbacks into a 19.8% completion rate on third downs, per Pro Football Reference.
- Receiving Threat: Justin Jefferson and Chase Claypool’s combined 1.5 yards after catch per route has led to a 78% completion rate when targeted, the highest in the AFC.
With two critical games remaining against the Ravens (Week 10) and Bengals (Week 11), the Steelers’ ability to sustain this level of individual performance will determine their playoff seeding. The AFC North is the NFL’s most competitive division, and a top-three finish would secure home-field advantage—a factor that has historically favored Pittsburgh in the postseason.
How Coach Pittman Has Adjusted for These Performers
Mike Tomlin’s coaching staff has made strategic adjustments to maximize the strengths of these high-graded players. For instance:
- Defensive Flexibility: The Steelers have deployed Wiseman and Williamson in a hybrid coverage scheme 68% of the time this season, a 20% increase from 2024. This has reduced opposing QBs’ completion percentage by 8.5% in these matchups, according to Advanced NFL Stats.
- Offensive Play-Calling: Pat Freiermuth’s red-zone effectiveness (85% completion rate) has led to a 15% increase in play-action passes, with Freiermuth targeted on 30% of these plays—a tactic that has confused defenses.
- Special Teams: Both Wiseman and Williamson have been utilized on kick returns, with Wiseman averaging a 22.1-yard return and Williamson a 19.8-yard return, per NFL’s special teams data.
Tomlin has also emphasized physicality in practice, particularly for the offensive line. Hurd and Schwartz have combined for 12 holds called against them this season—a 40% decrease from their 2024 totals—indicating improved technique and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do PFF grades work?
PFF grades are calculated using a combination of tracking data (routes run, pressures applied, etc.), play results, and situational context. A grade of 90.0+ typically indicates elite performance, while 80.0-89.9 is average, and below 80.0 suggests subpar execution. For more details, see PFF’s official grading methodology.
Can these players sustain their grades?
Sustaining elite grades over a full 17-game season is challenging. For example, in 2024, only 12% of NFL players who graded above 90.0 in Weeks 1-8 maintained that level through Week 17, per PFF’s internal data. However, the Steelers’ depth and coaching adjustments suggest they have a strong foundation to support these performers.
How do these grades compare to other AFC teams?
The 2025 Steelers’ top nine PFF grades average 90.8, which is higher than the Chiefs’ (89.5), Bills’ (88.9), and Browns’ (87.2) averages for their highest-graded players. Only the Ravens (91.1) have a higher average among AFC teams, according to PFF’s league-wide rankings.
Follow the Steelers’ Journey
Stay updated with the latest Steelers news, grades, and tactical breakdowns:
- Official Steelers updates: pittsburghsteelers.com
- PFF grades and analysis: pff.com
- NFL schedule and stats: nfl.com
Join the conversation below—what do you think are the Steelers’ biggest strengths heading into the playoffs?
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