When it comes to Cam Heyward’s personal accolades, his Approximate Value metric is far from anyone’s first thought. But it’s Pro Football Reference’s way to measure value and success across positions, especially for those who don’t get to stuff the stat sheet or be drafted by fantasy football owners.
Like most other categories, Heyward has put up strong numbers here and has the chance to do something only two Steelers players have ever done before.
A quick refresher — or perhaps introduction — to the metric. As defined on PFR’s glossary:
“Created by PFR founder Doug Drinen, the Approximate Value (AV) method is an attempt to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year (since 1960).”
The link here breaks down the methodology and madness.
Heyward has led the Steelers in Approximate Value each of the last two seasons.
In 2025, his score of 13 edged out QB Aaron Rodgers (12), RB Jaylen Warren (10), and EDGE T.J. Watt (10).
In 2024, Heyward’s mark of 16 beat out Watt (14) and ILB Patrick Queen (10).
That gives Heyward the chance to lead Pittsburgh for three straight seasons. If so, he’d become the first Steeler to do that since OG Alan Faneca across the 2005 and 2007 campaigns. Heyward would be the second defensive player to ever achieve that three-peat after Joe Greene did so from 1972-74.
Faneca and Greene are the only two in franchise history to lead three consecutive seasons.
It’s an obscure and somewhat obvious figure. Heyward is central to Pittsburgh’s success. Still, it serves as a reminder to his value and the rarity of what he’s doing.
A now-late 30s defensive linemen who has barely slowed down and leading the Steelers in value even after a 3.5 sack season last year. He made first-team All-Pro two years ago and second-team last year despite a wealth of competition.
Approximate Value isn’t gospel. Even Pro Football Reference admits it doesn’t always mean the player with the highest AV was truly better than someone else in a given year.
Instead, Drinen refers to a collective group of those who score, say, a 12 AV, are confidently better than the same group who scored only 10 AV.
Whether it’s the eye test or this metric, Heyward’s value to the team is as clear as ever.