Let’s start with an important disclaimer: It’s still early.
The Steelers have only put on the pads four times — Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. They have held just 10 practices, which is not a lot in the grand scheme of things and have yet to participate in a preseason game. So there’s plenty of time for players to emerge or fall off.
However, through the first two weeks at Saint Vincent College, some trends are beginning to emerge. Let’s take a look at whose stock is up and whose is down.
After dealing Diontae Johnson, the Steelers created an obvious void in their receiving corps. It was fair to wonder how Jefferson would do in that role after catching just 12 passes in 12 games with Arthur Smith in Atlanta last season. However, early results from training camp have been positive.
While the Steelers will rotate all of their top receivers, Jefferson has been getting most of the reps in two-WR formations along with George Pickens. He’s discussed how he wants to recapture his 2021 form when he caught a career-high 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been catching 300 balls a day off the JUGS machine in an attempt to do so. During team periods, he’s showing a veteran savvy in his approach and has been consistent when targeted.
The Steelers already have one of the league’s top pass-protecting backs in Jaylen Warren. But through two spirited backs on ‘backers drills, Harris has been rising to the occasion. Through his first three seasons, Harris was solid but not spectacular in pass protection. He’s looked the best he has as a pro so far, not only using his physicality and 6-1, 242-pound frame but also showing an edgy demeanor in these settings to ignite some heated battles.
A contract year turned into a disappointing season in 2023, as the Steelers’ primary pass-catching tight end dealt with a hamstring injury and recorded a career-low 32 receptions for 308 yards. However, there are several reasons to believe a bounce-back is coming. For one, Smith’s offense is predicated upon multiple tight end formations and plenty of passes in that position group’s direction. Beyond that, Freiermuth is showing good chemistry with Russell Wilson. He could be in line for a career year.
Russell Wilson’s injury has opened the door for Justin Fields to take virtually all of the first-team reps in 11-on-11 and Seven Shots situations. Based on the way coach Mike Tomlin gave Wilson the “pole position” title and the way Wilson doesn’t seem to feel the need to hurry back makes it unlikely, for now, that Fields can supplant the veteran atop the depth chart. However, the x-factor is Fields’ running ability, especially in the read-option. It makes you wonder if the team will in fact install a Fields package. And if Wilson is hobbled at all by the injury, Fields’ ability to execute the read-option could be his edge.
To be clear, I still would be very surprised if Fields overtakes Wilson in camp. But if he can pull off the upset, his execution on this particular play will be a part of it.
Pickens has all the makings of a dynamic red-zone receiver thanks to his 6-3 frame and Madden-like catch radius. However, last season he caught just three passes for 16 yards in the red zone, with no touchdowns, according to stats from TruMedia.
There seems to be a concerted effort to get him the ball in these situations. On Friday and Saturday alone, he caught four touchdowns during his eight total Seven Shots snaps. Earlier in camp, he made a spectacular one-handed catch over Joey Porter Jr. in this period. There should be optimism the Steelers will utilize their top target to get into the end zone more.
Often, teams carry a fullback in training camp just as an extra player or to give the defense a look they may see in the regular season. Jack Colletto, who signed with the 49ers practice squad as an undrafted free agent and then was scooped up by the Steelers mid-season for the practice squad, is making his case to stick.
Smith’s offense has been one of the few in the league that still actively embraces the fullback position, using it on about 30 percent of their snaps in 2023, according to TruMedia. The question is if the Steelers have room for Colletto, considering they’ll need a roster spot for Cordarrelle Patterson and numerous tight ends. It will likely take Colletto contributing on special teams to solidify his spot. He’ll be one of the tougher decisions at the final cut down.
A former WVU player is looking very much like a starter, but perhaps not the one you’d expect. While second-round center Zach Frazier continues to work with the second team, nickel corner Beanie Bishop has been taking full advantage of his first-team reps.
The 5-9 corner has been running with the starting defense in virtually all situations as the extra defensive back in the nickel. On Saturday, he jumped a Fields’ attempt into the flat and returned it for a touchdown. It seems it’s his job to lose at this point.
After a bit of an up-and-down start to his pro career in OTAs, the Michigan product was performing well in camp, making a number of contested catches. However, on the first day in pads, he sprained his ankle on a jet sweep during Seven Shots. Wilson is in a boot and Tomlin has described his status as “week-to-week.”
While the injury might not force Wilson to miss any regular season games, these are valuable practices for a rookie to learn the nuances of the Steelers’ new offense and develop chemistry with the top quarterbacks. The time lost means a lot more for a rookie than it would a veteran. We’ll see how well he can make up ground when he returns.
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.
It would be a surprise to see Fields start Game 1. Still, at some point, the top quarterback is going to need to take 11-on-11 reps.
The dual-threat QB showed his well-rounded athleticism by playing baseball in college and, for a time, transitioning to receiver while at Ole Miss. He’s been fielding punts and also taking reps as a kick returner. However, the results have been inconsistent. One punt hit him in the helmet during practice and he has bobbled a few others.
He’ll have to excite in the preseason to earn a surprising opportunity as the third QB. The question the Steelers have to ask themselves is do they want a more traditional dropback passer with experience, like the six-year veteran Kyle Allen, or if they’re willing to bet on athleticism and upside. My projection now is Plumlee lands on the practice squad.
The top four receivers, in some order, are likely to be Pickens, Jefferson, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Behind them, the search continues. Some of the others have shown flashes. Speedy slot Scotty Miller showed his quickness while evading tacklers during one-on-one periods in the flat, and Quez Watkins reeled in a toe-tapping touchdown on Saturday. Dez Fitzpatrick is another receiver in that conversation. Still, there are a lot of question marks about who may emerge from this group.
Special teams could be an important consideration here, especially after the Steelers parted ways with core teamer Myles Boykin. Tomlin took time during the one-on-one tackling drills in the flat on Saturday to evaluate only the offensive players, like many of those mentioned.
“I’m looking for white-shirt tacklers,” Tomlin said, alluding to offensive players getting reps with the yellow-jersey-wearing defenders.
