The Pittsburgh Steelers have been energetic on the commerce deadline, making two strikes. After listening to that the Steelers acquired WR Mike Williams, a extra stunning transfer to strengthen their EDGE group was buying and selling a seventh-round choose for former Inexperienced Bay Packer Preston Smith.
At present, I needed to take a look at and give attention to 2024 run protection knowledge on Smith, together with league-wide and present Steelers. Included is a full rankings desk by the top of the article for context. The objective is to match how issues have gone to this point this season, and what Smith may present the Black and Gold.
Up first, run snaps and complete snaps:
Smith supplied the Packers an above-average variety of snaps, second on the staff by means of 9 video games. His 308 complete snaps ranks fiftieth within the NFL, together with 121 run snaps that lands a bit larger at forty eighth. That’s second-most out of centered gamers.
Aside from T.J. Watt’s excessive snap counts, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig have suffered accidents in 2024, every lacking a number of video games. Smith’s means to remain on the sphere in 2024 and all through his tenth season within the NFL is among the most engaging components to his addition.
Subsequent, let’s take a look at an important side of being a top quality run defender – tackling. The chart under appears on the gamers tackles per recreation and common sort out depth, with the latter suggesting high quality play up entrance and attacking the road of scrimmage:
It’s been extra high quality over amount for Smith when it comes to tackling, regardless of his above-average snap alternatives. His 2.1 tackles per recreation ties for sixty fourth out of the 120 qualifying edge rushers (min. 100 complete snaps). The higher information is a 1.4 common sort out depth that ties for forty eighth, becoming a member of a Steelers place group that could be very robust total already.
Herbig is one in all solely two qualifiers with a median sort out depth behind the road of scrimmage (-0.3) rating second, together with Watt (1.1) additionally touchdown comfortably above the imply in tackles per recreation (4.1, T-sixth). Highsmith has additionally supplied a number of tackles (twenty fourth), barely touchdown underneath the imply in sort out depth (2.2), tied for 84th with a number of friends.
Watt and Highsmith clearly have the amount taken care of, and it’s nice to see Herbig and Smith offering high quality, which is strictly what you’re searching for in your rotation. Right here’s to hoping that gels rapidly for Smith within the Metal Metropolis.
This subsequent view makes an attempt to weigh optimistic and adverse performs, utilizing damaged and missed sort out charges (adverse performs) together with SIS optimistic play share which is the speed of run performs with the participant on the sphere resulted in a optimistic anticipated factors added (EPA), with decrease percentages being the most effective:
The implausible information is Smith has no damaged/missed tackles in 2024, somewhat spectacular contemplating his above-average snap utilization. With some leakiness in Pittsburgh’s run protection not too long ago, including Smith who’s been a strong run tackler for Inexperienced Bay in 2024, is a standout high quality that he optimistically continues.
All 4 Steelers touchdown above the imply in optimistic charge can also be nice to see, which means all of them present a optimistic influence when on the sphere in run protection total. Suits the Steelers tradition and identification for certain. Smith’s 39.5-percent optimistic charge ties for forty seventh, strong, however is lowest of centered gamers. Bolstering that in a change of surroundings and function wouldn’t shock me in any respect.
To shut, here’s a extra complete view of the gamers within the run recreation:
- Factors Saved per Play: The overall of a participant’s EPA duty on run performs utilizing the Complete Factors system that distributes credit score amongst all gamers on the sphere for a given play, with optimistic numbers being good. Totals are scaled as much as map to the typical factors scored or allowed on a staff degree, with the participant’s snap depend figuring out how a lot to regulate. For run protection, that features accounting for defenders within the field, blown blocks compelled, damaged tackles, turnovers, and turnover returns.
- Factors Above Common per Play: utilizing the identical Complete Factors system and placing a quantity to their worth above a median degree participant:
First, this view illustrates that to this point, the Steelers edge rushers have all been above the road in comparison with the league as run defenders. That factors to Smith being a luxurious addition on this regard, touchdown under the imply ever so barely on this extra complete view.
Tying for sixty fourth in factors saved per play and 62nd in factors above common aren’t dangerous by any means, contemplating the 120 complete edge rushers within the research.
Here’s a wrap up rankings desk of the info:
Tackling stands out clearly as Smith’s greatest 2024 feat in run protection, with no damaged or missed tackles. That’s large, and hopefully carries over to the Black and Gold, particularly contemplating some points on this regard for Pittsburgh’s protection in 2024.
He’s additionally above-average in snap counts and optimistic charge. Contemplating that charge makes use of EPA, which elements the influence to scoring on a play-by-play foundation, that is nice to see. Sturdiness is one other welcomed a part of his addition in comparison with struggling by means of some painful lack of depth in latest seasons.
Having no under common ranks could be very encouraging as nicely, and fills in some points which have occurred for Pittsburgh on the place in 2024. The Steelers have been already thought-about to have the most effective edge teams within the NFL, and bolstered that even additional for pennies on the greenback. What’s to not like about that?
