PITTSBURGH

2017 | 13-3, 1st in North Last year in playoffs | 2017

THREE PLAYERS WHO MUST COME THROUGH

DE Stephon Tuitt: He struggled with injuries last season, and the Steelers had a difficult time stopping the run without him. A prime example came in the playoffs, when Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette ran for three touchdowns.

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is the key every season, but it will be especially interesting to watch him this fall. He’s cut out sugar and a lot of carbs from his diet, and he’s leaner than ever. His arm looks good too.

S Morgan Burnett: Signed out of free agency to replace Mike Mitchell, Burnett should help improve communication in the Steelers’ secondary. THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH RB James Conner: With Le’Veon Bell almost certainly moving on to become a free agent after this season, Conner has a chance to prove to the Steelers that he’s the heir apparent. OLB T.J. Watt: Watt is already a star, actually, but he can build on an excellent rookie season and is now more than a rotational player. He led all rookie linebackers in the league with seven sacks.

FS Sean Davis: This is a pivotal season for Davis, a secondround pick in 2016, who needs to show he has the range and sure tackling needed to shore up the back end of Pittsburgh’s defense. FANTASY SLEEPER WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: OK, so he’s not really a sleeper, but Smith-Schuster is still third fiddle to Bell and Antonio Brown. With Martavis Bryant gone, watch for the secondyear receiver from USC to put up big numbers.