T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey anchored Pittsburgh’s Week 1 defense, delivering elite PFF marks as the unit navigated injuries and still beat the Jets. Watt led the way at 82.4, with Ramsey close behind at 79.4, pairing edge pressure with tight coverage to highlight the day’s brightest defensive performances.

The top-10 on defense also featured Daniel Ekuale, DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen, Cameron Heyward, Brandin Echols, Malik Harrison, Chuck Clark, and Juan Thornhill, who all chipped in with crucial stops and fits. Week 2 vs. Seattle looms, making health the biggest variable for sustaining pressure and limiting big plays in a tighter matchup.

Fantasy takeaway: Watt remains a high-floor star; Thornhill and Ramsey offer steady safety floors; Echols and Clark could be viable DB plays if others deteriorate. Depth players will be tested as Pittsburgh leans on its stars to carry the unit through injuries.

Derrick Harmon’s knee sprain is being treated as week-to-week after an MRI initially pointed to four-to-six weeks, easing fears of IR. Yahya Black is poised to fill in short-term, while Daniel Ekuale and Isaiahh Loudermilk provide interior DL depth for a potential 53-man roster tweak. A Week 2 return against Seattle is possible, with Week 1 vs. the Jets likely out. Fantasy angles center on Black’s immediate snaps and the deeper DL rotation becoming viable.

Pittsburgh’s injury update shapes roster decisions and game-plan leverage early in the season. If Harmon stays on a gradual timeline, Black could become a quick add, with Ekuale and Loudermilk offering value if Harmon’s recovery stalls. The Seahawks game in Week 2 looms as the first real stress-test for the defense without Harmon.

The Browns head into joint practice with a high-profile, two-day session against the Eagles. Fifteen Browns players are spotlighted for a show-me environment that could sharpen fantasy value across the offense and defense. Shedeur Sanders leads the way as a rookie quarterback in a contract-year orbit, while Joe Flacco provides veteran stability. Jerry Jeudy offers surgical route-running against Philadelphia’s secondary. David Njoku aims to capitalize on a contract year, with Jerome Ford expected to lead the backfield and Joel Bitonio stabilizing the interior. The defense centers on Myles Garrett’s pass rush, with a young group around him including Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and Cameron Mitchell. Philadelphia’s top-ranked defense looms, but the Browns’ depth could create multiple fantasy leverage points over the two days.

Expect Sanders to test the Eagles’ coverage, and watch how Njoku and Ford convert opportunities into dependable fantasy outputs as the Browns push for a decisive two-day showing. Bitonio’s return anchors the line, while Davis and Johnson provide potential sleeper targets if the offense leans into quick-game concepts. Garrett’s play will be a barometer for how quickly Cleveland can transition pressure into splash plays. In sum, the practices should yield clear signals on where fantasy value could swing in Cleveland’s offense and defense, especially for those holding Browns exposure heading into the season.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Pittsburgh Steelers are focusing on addressing significant weaknesses in their defensive line. Last season's performance was disappointing, with standout player Cam Heyward overshadowed by underwhelming contributions from others like Keeanu Benton. The roster, featuring players such as DeMarvin Leal and Daniel Ekuale, lacks playmakers and is overpopulated with hybrid positions that may not effectively fill the gap left by Larry Ogunjobi.

The Steelers' draft strategy is clear: prioritize a robust run-stuffer in the first round, with names like Kenneth Grant and Darius Alexander coming into play. The current group needs help in the interior, where a true nose tackle is required to complement Benton and bolster their run defense. With potential options in later rounds as well, the Steelers aim to create a competitive and effective defensive front.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made strategic moves this offseason by signing defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale and safety Juan Thornhill to one-year contracts, aiming to bolster their defense. Ekuale, previously a starter for the New England Patriots, joins on a $2.8 million deal, with a $1.63 million signing bonus guaranteed. His contract structure likely exempts him from the compensatory draft pick formula in 2026, allowing the Steelers to retain flexibility in their draft strategy.

Thornhill, who started for the Cleveland Browns over the past two seasons, has signed for $3 million, featuring a $1.83 million guaranteed signing bonus. Though closer to the compensatory pick threshold, he too is expected to be exempt from impacting their compensatory picks. As the Steelers navigate the complexities of the compensatory pick formula, they are positioned to potentially gain more picks rather than losing any due to these signings.