Steelers: Connor Heyward on track for larger, different role in 2023
Some would say the fullback position is on the verge of death in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers would not only disagree, they would have you look at a sibling of one of their star players. Second-year tight end Connor Heyward, the younger brother of three-time All-Pro Cam Heyward, found himself as a regular contributor […]
Some would say the fullback position is on the verge of death in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers would not only disagree, they would have you look at a sibling of one of their star players.
Second-year tight end Connor Heyward, the younger brother of three-time All-Pro Cam Heyward, found himself as a regular contributor in Matt Canada's offense last year as a rookie drafted in the sixth round. He ended up logging 174 snaps, with a pretty even split between pass and run downs.
All signs are pointing to Heyward's involvement in the offense increasing in 2023, and maybe even evolving.
Heyward is officially listed on the Steelers' roster as a tight end, which makes sense. Over 70% of his offensive snaps in 2022 came from an inline alignment, and the majority of his receiving production can attest to that.
Per ESPN Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor, Heyward had a productive offseason program with quarterback Kenny Pickett, and figures to be the logical replacement for Derek Watt at the fullback position.
"Entering his second season, the younger brother of Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is primed for an even bigger role. He made the most of playing 15% of offensive snaps last season, catching 12 of 17 targets and hauling in a touchdown. His chemistry with quarterback Kenny Pickett continued through the spring, and with Derek Watt's departure, Heyward could fill the role as the team's primary fullback and see time as an undersized yet strong tight end." – ESPN's Brooke Pryor
The first thing that stands out about Heyward is his size. At just 6'0" and 230 pounds, the Michigan State alum is built like a classic bruiser fullback. In a past life, he probably could've cleared lanes for Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris. Making the transition to this position should be as seamless as it could be.
How he finished the 2022 season also bodes well for Heyward taking backfield snaps. Pro Football Focus graded him out at 72.8 for run blocking during the final six weeks of the season. That ranked sixth in the NFL at the position.
Of course, Heyward's receiving skills can also be put to use in the backfield. Pickett connected with him 12 times for 151 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Canada can conjure up some play action bootleg concepts to get Heyward out into the flats for easy yardage.
The arrow is pointing upwards for the younger Heyward in Pittsburgh, archaic position change be damned.
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Featured image via © Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
