PATROBE, PA — Let me begin by making a crucial disclaimer: this is just the beginning.
Only four occasions have the Steelers worn pads: on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. They have not played in a preseason game and have only done ten practices, which is not much in the big picture. Players have plenty of opportunity to rise to the occasion or fade away.
But after two weeks at Saint Vincent College, some patterns are starting to show. Let us examine who has higher and lower stock values.
Stock Up
Following the trade of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers’ receiving group was noticeably lacking. It was reasonable to question Jefferson’s performance in that capacity given that he had only caught 12 passes in 12 games with Arthur Smith in Atlanta the previous campaign. Nonetheless, the training camp has produced encouraging early results.
The Steelers will rotate all of their best receivers, but George Pickens and Jefferson have been getting the majority of the work in two-WR setups. He has expressed his desire to return to his 2021 form, when he caught 50 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns, a career high. In an effort to accomplish so, he has been catching 300 balls off the JUGS machine every day. He is been reliable when targeted and is displaying a veteran’s sense of savvy during team periods.
Najee Harris’ pass protection
With Jaylen Warren, the Steelers already have one of the best pass-protecting backs in the NFL. However, Harris has been rising to the occasion with two energetic backs on “backers drills.” In terms of pass protection during his first three seasons, Harris was mediocre at best. He is looked the best he is looked as a professional thus far, igniting some intense battles with his physicality and 6-1, 242-pound physique as well as his acerbic demeanor in these environments.
2023 was a contract year that ended in disappointment for the Steelers’ top pass-catching tight end, who had a career-low 32 receptions for 308 yards due to a hamstring injury. Still, there are a number of grounds for optimism that things will improve soon. One reason is because Smith’s offense relies heavily on passes to the tight end position group and various tight end groupings. Apart from that, Freiermuth and Russell Wilson seem to get along well. He might be on track for a breakthrough year.
Justin Fields’ read-option ability
Due to Russell Wilson’s injury, Justin Fields is now able to play almost all of the first team’s minutes in 11-on-11 and seven-shot scenarios. It seems unlikely that Fields will overtake the seasoned player at the top of the depth chart for the time being, given how coach Mike Tomlin awarded Wilson the title of “pole position” and the fact that Wilson does not appear to feel pressure to return. Fields’ running ability, particularly in the read-option, is the x-factor, though. It raises the question of whether the group will actually install a Fields package. Fields may have the advantage if Wilson is significantly hindered by the injury because of his proficiency with the read-option.
To be clear, even if Fields were to pass Wilson in camp, I would still be shocked. But his play on this particular play will play a part in whether or not he can pull off the upset.
George Pickens’ as a red-zone threat
Pickens’ 6-3 size and Madden-like grab radius give him all the makings of a dominant red-zone receiver. Nevertheless, according to TruMedia figures, he only caught three passes for 16 yards and no touchdowns in the red zone last season.
In these circumstances, there appears to be a deliberate attempt to get him the ball. He caught four touchdowns in his eight Seven Shots snaps on Friday and Saturday alone. He had earlier in the training made an incredible one-handed catch over Joey Porter Jr. There is hope that the Steelers will make more use of their best receiver to into the end zone.
Jack Colletto’s shot of making the roster
Teams frequently bring a fullback into training camp as a backup or to show the defense what to expect during the regular season. Making a case to stay is Jack Colletto, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers practice squad before being selected by the Steelers mid-season for the practice squad.
According to TruMedia, Smith’s system is one of the few in the NFL that still actively uses the fullback position, with the position being used on roughly 30% of their snaps in 2023. Given that the Steelers will need to make room on the roster for Cordarrelle Patterson and other tight ends, the question is whether they have room for Colletto. To guarantee his spot, Colletto will probably need to make an impact on special teams. At the final cut down, he will be one of the more difficult choices.
Beanie Bishop’s odds of starting
Although maybe not the starter you might anticipate, a former WVU player is clearly on the rise. While Nickel Corner Beanie Bishop has been making the most of his first-team reps, Zach Frazier, a second-round pick, is still working with the second team.
As the additional defensive back in the nickel, the 5-9 corner has almost always run with the starting defense. He returned a Fields pass into the flat on Saturday and scored a touchdown. At this moment, it appears that his employment is doomed.
Stock Down
Roman Wilson’s ability to contribute early
The Michigan graduate had an uneventful start to his professional career in OTAs, but he was playing well in camp and making several contested receptions. But during Seven Shots on his first day in pads, he hurt his ankle on a jet sweep. Wilson’s situation has been defined by Tomlin as “week-to-week,” and he is wearing a boot.
Wilson may not be forced to miss any games during the regular season due to the injury, but these practices are crucial for a rookie to understand the ins and outs of the Steelers’ new scheme and build rapport with the team’s best quarterbacks. For a rookie, missed time means far more than it does for an experienced player. When he gets back, we will see how well he can catch up.
Russell Wilson ending the competition speculation
Tomlin may have promised competition, but Wilson clearly has the leg-up. Had the 35-year-old come out and lit up practice, it would have put an end to any speculation that Fields might seize the opportunity. Instead, by missing so much time, he’s left the door slightly cracked.
If Fields were to start Game 1, that would be unexpected. The starting quarterback will eventually need to participate in 11-on-11 drills, though.
The dual-threat quarterback demonstrated his all-around athleticism by switching to receiver for a spell while attending Ole Miss and playing baseball in college. He has been practicing returning kicks in addition to fielding punts. But the outcomes have not always been consistent. During practice, he was struck in the helmet by one punt, and he has since bobbled a couple more.
To get an unexpected opportunity as the third quarterback, he will need to perform well in the preseason. The Steelers need to decide if they would rather take a chance on athleticism and upside or a more conventional dropback passer with experience, such as Kyle Allen, a six-year starter. Right now, I think Plumlee ends up on the practice squad.
The back half of the WR depth chart
The top four receivers are probably Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Pickens, and Jefferson in that order. The search continues behind them. There have been flashes in a few of the others. Quick slot In one-on-one situations in the flat, Scotty Miller demonstrated his agility by dodging tacklers, and on Saturday, Quez Watkins caught a touchdown pass that had fans tapping their toes. Another receiver in that exchange is Dez Fitzpatrick. However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding who might succeed this group.
Special teams may play a significant role in this, particularly in light of the Steelers’ recent departure of Myles Boykin from the starting lineup. During Saturday’s one-on-one tackling drills in the flat, Tomlin focused his evaluation solely on the offensive players, including several of those previously mentioned.
“I’m looking for white-shirt tacklers,” Tomlin said, alluding to offensive players getting reps with the yellow-jersey-wearing defenders.
(Top photo of Najee Harris: Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo)
