Steelers PFF grades: Best and worst from Thursday's preseason game vs Packers

The Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener, emerging victorious with a final score of 28-9. Pro Football Focus (PFF) provided detailed grades for both the Steelers' offense and defense in the game.

On the offensive side, the team's tight end Robert Tonyan led the charge with an exceptional grade of 93.5. Wide receiver Kaden Wetjen also performed well, earning a grade of 88.0. Quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Will Howard followed closely behind with grades of 87.3 and 86.5, respectively. Backup quarterback Ben Skowronek rounded out the top five with a grade of 83.4.

Defensively, the Steelers' cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. shined brightly with a top grade of 90.6. Linebacker Malik Harrison and defensive end Anthony Goodlow rounded out the top three defenders with grades of 89.9 and 86.9, respectively. Cornerbacks D Shawn Jamison and Doneiko Slaughter completed the respectable defensive unit with grades of 77.9 and 77.8, respectively.

However, the Steelers' offensive struggles were evident in several areas. Center Greg Crippen posted the lowest grade of the game, sitting at 49.8. Running back Eli Heidenreich and fullback Riley Nowakowski also underperformed, earning grades of 49.4 and 47.8, respectively. Offensive tackles Troy Fautanu and Jaheim Bell rounded out the team's weakest offensive players with grades of 44.4 and 42.3, respectively.

On the defensive end, linebacker Nick Herbig and linebacker Cole Holcomb were the Steelers' biggest liabilities. Both players posted grades of 54.3 and 53.4, respectively. Cornerback Daylen Everett and defensive tackles Derrick Harmon and Kevin Jobity Jr. completed the bottom five defensive players, earning grades of 52.3, 51.7, and 51.2, respectively.