Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams may not have set career highs in overall production last season, but overall, he was quietly one of the best nose tackles in the NFL.
After three weeks of the 2023 season, Adams led all defensive tackles in run-stop win-rate (48%). The most surprising thing was how well he handled double teams. Not only was he one of the most double-teamed defensive linemen in the league, but he also had the 20th-best pass rush win rate despite facing double teams more than 70% of the time.
Even though rookie teammate Keeanu Benton took center stage at that time, Adams was crucial to the team's growth during the second half of the season. With so many young players joining the defensive line, Adams will probably be asked to step up and provide veteran leadership.
"There’s a lot I can do, not even talking about on the football field, but in helping develop the guys around me,” Adams told SteelersNow. “As a person, that’s more of my character, aside from football: helping better people around me. That’s what I want to take on this year.”
With a long and difficult season ahead of them, Adams' presence will be just as important as that of All-Pro linemen Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi. As one of the few true nose tackles on the roster, one should expect him to take a greater number of snaps and play an expanded role, helping the defense succeed in a major way.
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