• Historic manufacturing at Cameron Heyward‘s age: His 90.6 grade is the best ever for any defensive participant 35 years or older (min. 300 snaps).
• Elite in a number of departments: Heyward is one in all two defenders with a 90.0-plus pass-rushing and 80.0-plus run-defense grade.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated studying time: 4 minutes
When the Pittsburgh Steelers gave Cameron Heyward a two-year, $29 million extension earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season, eyebrows had been raised. After all, Heyward was coming off a really disappointing 2023 during which he recorded only a 73.1 general grade, with pass-rushing and run-defense grades beneath 68.0. On high of that, Heyward was coming into his age-35 season after enjoying solely 497 snaps due to a nagging groin damage.
As it seems, Steelers common supervisor Omar Khan knew precisely what he was doing on reflection. Heyward has been flat-out dominant this 12 months, bouncing again in a serious method — and making a legit case to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Heyward’s 90.6 general grade is fifth amongst all defensive gamers, plus the most effective amongst all inside defensive linemen — a place that features perennial forces in Dexter Lawrence and Chris Jones. Simply viewing Heyward’s elite general grade doesn’t do it justice: his 90.6 grade is the best ever for any defensive participant 35 years or older. In different phrases, gamers are virtually by no means this good this late into their careers.
Cameron Heyward‘s Year-to-Year Improvement
| 2023 (Age 34) | 2024 (Age 35) | |
| Overall Grade | 73.1 | 90.6 |
| Pass-Rushing Grade | 64.8 | 90 |
| Run-Defense Grade | 67.7 | 80.2 |
| Pass-Rush Win Rate | 9.7% | 16.2% |
| Snaps Played | 497 | 529 |
| Total Pressures | 21 | 43 |
| Total Stops | 27 | 33 |
| WAR | 0.10 | 0.28 |
Reaching the 90.0 threshold is spectacular sufficient for any participant, however taking a deeper dive into Heyward’s season reveals how he’s performed higher than ever. Heyward’s 90.0 pass-rushing grade is the best in his storied 14-year profession, as is his 16.2% pass-rush win fee, which ties for the ninth-highest amongst all defensive gamers.
Instead of regressing, Heyward is arguably peaking.
What renders Heyward that rather more spectacular is his down-to-down dominance in opposition to both the move or run. The three-time All-Pro has earned an 80.2 run-defense grade, reaching a quantity that top for the primary time since 2021. In truth, Heyward is one in all two NFL defenders to have a 90.0-plus pass-rushing and 80.0-plus run-defense grade, becoming a member of Lions security Brian Branch.
Heyward has victimized even the league’s most seasoned guards on a weekly foundation, however he’s actually carved out a distinct segment this 12 months by getting his lengthy arms as much as disrupt ball accuracy. Heyward’s seven batted passes are probably the most within the league and tied for the second-most in his profession. Those deflections have had tangible impacts on video games, whether or not by producing interceptions or serving to Pittsburgh get off the sphere on third down.
Few would have batted a watch if Heyward had been enjoying solely about 50-60% of snaps. Instead, he’s performed 71.1% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, along with his 529 snaps rating 18th amongst all defensive linemen. It’s not simply Heyward’s manufacturing when on the sphere, however the truth he’s capable of stand up to such a excessive quantity of reps at this age that makes his season so unbelievable. His capacity to remain on the sphere is a crucial cause why Pittsburgh ranks fourth in EPA allowed per play.
Admittedly, Heyward ranks solely 20th amongst defensive gamers in PFF Wins Above Replacement, together with behind 4 different defensive linemen and edge rushers (Aidan Hutchinson, Jones, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt). Yet the race to win 2024 Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t essentially boast many clear-cut favorites, making Heyward’s case way more compelling.
Garrett (92.4 pass-rushing grade) is probably going the favourite to repeat, whereas Watt (league-best 92.5 general grade) has made an affect regardless of a waning pass-rush win fee. Other candidates would determine to incorporate Trey Hendrickson (59 pressures, 86.4 general grade), Patrick Surtain II (0.52 WAR), Jonathan Greenard (league-high 60 pressures) and Kerby Joseph (91.1 protection grade).
Yes, Garrett seems a worthy candidate to take house the {hardware} for a second straight 12 months. But factoring in his just about historic mixture of age and prowess in opposition to each the move and run, Heyward ought to obtain votes so as to add one other honor to his well-decorated resume — one bordering on Canton.