Projecting the Steelers 2022 Breakout Duos

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Jayson Erwin. Follow him on Twitter @JaysonErwin2002

"Teamwork makes the dream work" is a common quote used to unite a team, and sometimes can bring a duo together. The Steelers have had several notable duos over the years. Ben Roethlisberger with Antonio Brown, Ryan Shazier with Vince Williams, TJ Watt with Bud Dupree. Just goes to show when the right amount of chemistry and talent is mixed together, it could make for a beautiful thing. And the Steelers have a lot of potential options at the next big duos in the Steel City. From linebackers, to receivers, to drafted players, let's see how a 2 could get us our 7.

#5 Cameron Heyward & Larry Ogunjobi

The Steelers recently acquired defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and despite injury concerns, he could be a good fit for the Steelers defense. The leader of the pack comes in the form of a 6'5, 288 lb. monster out of Ohio State. His name is Cameron Heyward.  The 33-year-old veteran has been with the Steelers since he was drafted in 2011, and has only gotten better with age -- and has proved to be a locker room and on-field leader for not just the defense. With Big Ben retired, Heyward's leadership is needed now more than ever. The addition of Ogunjobi can take some of the slack off of Heyward and hopefully can create an elite pass-rushing and run-stuffing duo. And you also have to note with TJ Watt there as well, could we be looking at a potential sequel to the Steel Curtain?

#4 Myles Jack & Devin Bush

Bush had a disappointing year last year, but he was coming off a torn ACL, so with Bush on a contract year and now fully recovered, it could be a bounceback season for Bush if he can play his cards right. Now enter Myles Jack, a talented linebacker coming from Jacksonville looking to make a splash in his first year in the black & gold. Both are young inside linebackers that have shown flashes to be potential breakout stars. The question though is can Bush can capitalize on a contract year and Jack can help him out. If they click together, it's only gonna make the Steelers defense that much stronger & formidable. 

#3 Ahkello Witherspoon & Levi Wallace

Two corners who are just getting started in the Steel City, Witherspoon and Wallace. Witherspoon joined the Steelers last year and played well, only allowing 16 receptions. Wallace joined the Steelers in the offseason and has proven to be a good corner while he was in Buffalo. When Tre'Davious White went down, it was up to Wallace to play CB1 last season, and the Bills still finished as the NFL's top passing defense. With two corners coming together n a team running low on elite corners since the departure of Mike Hilton and the decline of Joe Haden, these two could be a good duo on defense. And with Cameron Sutton offering aid behind them and Minkah Fitzpatrick being one of the best safeties in the league, these two could help make the Steelers secondary an elite group.

#2 Diontae Johnson & Chase Claypool

Now to be fair, these guys are already an established duo, but we haven't seen them truly unlock their potential. One of Roethlisberger's issues late in his career was his struggle with deep throws, that being mentioned doesn't help Claypool out since he is a deep threat with a lot of speed. Bring in young QBs with fresh arm strength, and it could help Claypool with deep routes down the field. Then there's Johnson, an established elite receiver. He personifies good route running and though he occasionally has some issues with his hands, when he's in the zone, he's practically top ten in the league. These two together make an elite duo capable of keeping defenses up at night and with fresh QBs joining the fray, this duo could become one of the best in the league.

#1 Kenny Pickett & George Pickens

Even the last names click together. Pickett to Pickens, it's already a catchy duo name. What else brings them together? Pickett & Pickens were both 2022 Steelers draft picks. Could these guys be anymore destined to be the next big duo of the NFL? Both had successful college careers and have bright futures ahead of them. While it may take a bit to truly see this duo shine considering both aren't locks for the starting job at their respective positions, it's no doubt that if these guys were to click well together, it could be the spark the Steelers offense has been needing for a while. Maybe the next Ben to Brown? We'll have to wait to see.