Ranking the Steelers: 24-20

Today it’s our sixth installment of ranking the current Steelers 1 through 50. If you want to check out numbers 29 through 25, check it out HERE. Today we give you 24 through 20.

24. Chris Hoke Nose Tackle

Hoke may be one of the most undervauled Steelers on the current roster, but don’t overlook him. All he seems to do week in and week out is show up when called upon, and make plays quietly without much fanfare. In 7 seasons the undrafted player in 108 games he’s made 80 tackles with two sacks. It may not sound like a lot, but his teammates and those that know the Steelers inside and out know the value Hoke has.

23. Flozell Adams Offensive Tackle

Last season the Steelers were in panic mode after injuries ravaged the O-line before the season even started. The team had few options left other than to go out and grab one of the big boys left on the free agent market, OT Flozell Adams. The former Cowboys standout came to the Steelers, and while he isn’t as good as he was maybe 3-4 years ago, he still was a solid starter on the line, playing and starting in all 16 games in the spot of Willie Colon. Will Adams be back in 2011? My guess based on his play in 2010 is yes.

22. Emmanuel Sanders Wide Receiver

Part of the dynamic duo of pass catching rookies, Sanders had a solid rookie season, catching 28 passes for 376 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He also was clutch, making 18 grabs for first downs during the season. He also returned kicks during parts of the season, with a key 48-yard return to set up the game-winning field goal vs the Dolphins. Antonio Brown grabbed a lot of headlines with two huge plays in the post season, but Sanders to me will end up overall as the better pass catcher in years to come.

21. William Gay Cornerback

Another guy that gets picked on for the issues in the secondary, Gay is still solid contributor on a team that made it within five points of winning their 7th Super Bowl. Gay made 48 tackles with two sacks. The former 5th round pick in 2007 is a free agent, and depending the route the team takes with Ike Taylor, the urgency to ink Gay may be just as high if the team loses Taylor to another squad.

20. Brett Keisel Defensive End

“Fear the Beard.” It became a rally cry for Steeler fans during the 2010 playoffs, and it was led by a hairy faced former 7th round pick who had become a solid player on the teams D-line – Brett Keisel. In 11 games last year, Keisel had 33 tackles, three sacks and a memorable pick that went for a 77-yard TD that put the icing on the cake in an early season win in Tampa Bay. Keisel has become a team leader on the defense, and that’s not easy to do on a unit that boasts James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior. Keisel will again be called upon to be a run stuffer with a tendency for the now and then big play on the D-line in 2011.