Pittsburgh Steelers: Breakout Players for the 2011 NFL Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an infusion of young talent and elder heads on their AFC Championship roster.

There is a plethora of young talented players who have both shown flashes in the past season or two, or who you may not have even heard of just yet.

Bill Cowher's influence on the shape of the current roster is still palpable. Players like Casey Hampton, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu are still leading the team, but LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons have started a process which will truly make this Mike Tomlin's team.

10. Chris Scott, Offensive Tackle

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Offensive lineman Chris Scott of Tennessee runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Imag

Not to be confused with Jonathan Scott, who filled in for Max Starks last season, the 5th round pick out of Tennessee did not feature during his rookie season.

Tackle is not a position of strength for the Steelers pending the health of Willie Colon. Flozell Adams may return and play to the high standards he held last season but he is not a long-term solution.

Tomlin is a fan of Scott who comfortably made the 53 man roster last season and was held onto ahead of 4th round selection Thaddeus Gibson when the team needed to cut a player to keep Aaron Smith. This was significant because the team also has Tony Hills and Ramon Foster as backup tackles.

9. Jonathan Dwyer, Running Back

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Running back Jonathan Dwyer #41 of the Pittsburgh Steelers avoids a diving tackle by safety Kyle McCarthy #34 of the Denver Broncos and scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver

Dwyer suffered during the preseason of his rookie campaign with weight issues as well as understanding his playbook. Nonetheless he kept his place on the roster.

He is a similar back to Isaac Redman who should surpass his teammate on the depth chart next season given he continues to develop because of his added explosion.

Mewelde Moore is scheduled to become a free agent once the offseason officially resumes which should provide Dwyer an opportunity to play behind Mendenhall.

8. Keenan Lewis, Cornerback

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mike Wallace #17 and Keenan Lewis #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Lewis is entering his third year and has repeatedly been the cause of frustration for head coach Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin's frustration heightens with the cornerback because Lewis has an abundance of talent but lacks the mental focus needed to flourish at the NFL level.

Should Lewis cut out the mental mistakes, he could potentially become the team's best cover corner in the similar style of Ike Taylor.

7. Jason Worilds, Linebacker

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Jason Worilds #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles at the crowd before the game against the New England Patriots on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Worilds is another rookie from what looks like a very promising class of 2010.

Worilds biggest problem impacting the Steelers is the former defensive player of the year sitting ahead of him on the depth chart-James Harrison.

Worilds showed off his physical prowess on special teams last season as well as being able to notch two sacks in limited time during the regular season.

6. Limas Sweed, Wide Receiver

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PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 13: Limas Sweed #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch as Karlos Dansby #58 and Bryant McFadden #25 of the Arizona Cardinals make the tackle during a preseason NFL game August 13, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Many people may have forgotten about Sweed, who struggled with drops before suffering through a series of injuries over the past two seasons, but the talented receiver is the only truly tall target the team has.

Sweed is very talented but suffered early in his career from mental lapses similar to Keenan Lewis on the other side of the ball. Drops in significant moments have made many fans lose faith in the former Texas standout but the rangy receiver repeatedly got free of coverage when he was on the field which is the most difficult thing for a young receiver to do.

At 26, Sweed is no longer a youngster, but he still has plenty of time left to prove himself as an NFL receiver.  This would give the team a formidable corp of pass catchers.

5. Crezdon Butler, Cornerback

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 21: Crezdon Butler #40 of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New York Giants during their preseason game at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 21, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Butler looks like the most likely cornerback on the Steelers roster to improve their poor pass coverage for the coming season.

He is an intelligent football player with the ability to play the ball as well as lay a heavy hit on his opponent. Another strong preseason could see Butler seizing the fourth cornerback spot from Anthony Madison. Perhaps even eventually working his way into the starting lineup.

Butler will hopefully benefit under the tutelage of new defensive backs coach Carnell Lake to make him more than just a special teams player.

4. Ryan Mundy, Free Safety

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Ryan Mundy #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen during the game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Ryan Clark is in the twilight of a very impressive career in Pittsburgh but can't afford to lose another step of pace.

Should Clark's play drop off, Mundy will be asked to step up. He is a rangy athlete who did not disappoint during his sole start last season against the New York Jets.

Mundy would not bring the heavy hitting that Clark has over the years, but his ability to cover ground should allow him to work well alongside Troy Polamalu.

3.Stevenson Sylvester-Linebacker

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Stevenson Sylvester #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo by Nick

No. 55 Stevenson Sylvester

Its no secret that James Farrior is aging, he has been for quite some time. Realistically, Farrior will be lucky to hold onto his starting spot this season.

Larry Foote is the obvious replacement, but Sylvester has been wowing the Steelers' coaching staff with his performances on special teams as well as his limited opportunities as a middle linebacker.

Pairing Sylvester with Lawrence Timmons would give the team the most athletic linebacker tandem in the league. Both players are huge but still cover ground like runningbacks.

2.Antonio Brown-Wide Receiver

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns a kick against Pat Lee #22 and Korey Hall #35 of the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C.

No. 84 Antonio Brown

The Steelers' sixth-round pick from a season ago grew in prominence as the season went on last year.

He quickly established himself as the team's first choice returner while eventually supplanting Antwaan Randle El as the team's fourth choice receiver.

Brown will need to develop a greater route tree, but his electrifying pace and elusive running already makes him a rising star in the league.

Brown's selection in the sixth round of the draft is one of GM Kevin Colbert's best in recent years.

1.Emmanuel Sanders-Wide Receiver

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass before rolling into the endzone for a touchdown in front of Jeremy Ware #23 of the Oakland Raiders during the game against on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pit

No. 88 Emmanuel Sanders

It may be unfair to put Sanders on this list considering his injury during the Super Bowl was a major reason the Steelers offense stuttered.

Sanders was the team's third receiver last season, but it is not inconceivable that he ousts Hines Ward as the starter with Mike Wallace next year. This is unlikely because of Ward's history as a Steeler, but talent wise, he may be the better option at this stage in his career.

Sanders has great physical tools with reliable hands and a diverse route tree. His ability to snatch the ball out of the air in traffic was particularly impressive during his rookie season.

The former SMU standout also performed in clutch situations for the team despite his youth.