Steelers-by-position: Defensive line

Here is the next in a position-by-position series on the Steelers at the conclusion of the 2022 season as they head into the start of the NFL free agent period, which opens March 15.

DEFENSIVE LINE (8)
Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams, Tyson Alualu, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiah Loudermilk, Jonathan Marshall, Chris Wormley
(Free agent scorecard: 3 unrestricted, Larry Ogunjobi, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley)

A LAST LOOK AT 2022
This group is an interesting one, as All-Pro Cam Heyward played 801 snaps, meaning he was on the field for 75.3 percent of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in 2022. Larry Ogunjobi played 636 snaps (59.8 percent), and then no other defensive lineman played more than 27.4 percent of the defensive snaps.

Heyward finished the season with 74 tackles, 10.5 sacks, a team-best 14 tackles for a loss and 22 quarterback hits.

Heyward had his third season with double digits in sacks, fifth-most among defensive tackles, while his tackle totals were third-most at the position. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Heyward now has 78.5 career sacks, giving him one more than teammate T.J. Watt (77.5) and bringing him within two of James Harrison’s team record of 80.5. He’s also the first defensive lineman in Steelers’ history to reach double digits in sacks in three different seasons.

But Heyward’s production proved to be more sacks (3.5), quarterback hits (14) and tackles for a loss (13) than the rest of the team’s defensive linemen had combined.