Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward has the chance to lead the team in Approximate Value for three straight seasons in 2026. He already topped the franchise in the metric during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
Heyward posted an Approximate Value of 16 in 2024, ahead of edge rusher T.J. Watt at 14 and inside linebacker Patrick Queen at 10. His 2025 mark of 13 again led the Steelers, narrowly ahead of quarterback Aaron Rodgers at 12.
Only two players in franchise history have led the team in Approximate Value for three consecutive seasons. Offensive guard Alan Faneca achieved the feat across the 2005 and 2007 campaigns, while defensive tackle Joe Greene did so from 1972 to 1974.
Heyward, now in his late 30s, recorded 3.5 sacks last season while earning second-team All-Pro honors. The metric, created by Pro Football Reference founder Doug Drinen, assigns a single number to a player’s seasonal value at any position.
