Steelers Stock Report: Almost Gametime Edition

This series of weekly articles will take us through the beginning of the season where we’ll analyze what is trending based on actual performance or mere sentiment about all Pittsburgh Steelers related coaches, players, and circumstances using a nifty analogy to the stock market. Said players, coaches, or quirky happenings surrounding the team will be placed in category variations based on “Stock Up,” “Stock Down,” or “Unchanged” (with maybe a few surprise designations here and there.)

Non-legal Disclaimer: There is absolutely no scientific nor common sense basis for said determinations. It is a mixture of articles, camp reports, interviews, pulled muscles in my back, a hard to perceive almost nonexistent sixth sense I once had a feeling I might have (but turned out I was wrong about), and this guy I met at the Shop N Save the other day named Clem. Anyway- on with the stock report.

STOCK UP

TJ Watt- Wow! All it takes is moving around a bit on the line and the man who was considered a valuable bargaining chip by many who wanted him traded out of town (and were doubly upset when he became even more inconceivably rich as a part of the Steelers) is now back to hero status after demonstrating that he can, in fact, plant his feet 5 yards further to his right. In all seriousness, TJ has demonstrated splash plays in practice and was unblockable in drills (as usual). But reports are he has been spending concentrated stretches rushing from the defensive right side and looks good. Maybe most importantly, he’s taking a more vocal leadership role regarding how the team needs to grow and seems personally dedicated to helping Troy Fautanu improve and gain confidence. As admirable as ever.

The Entire Pittsburgh Steelers Defense– It absolutely could be hyperbolic pre-season chatter (if lips are moving during training camp it’s always a possibility), but there seems to be more and more declarations of something truly special brewing among the Steelers D. This week, DK Metcalf’s words rang throughout the NFL stratosphere when he remarked the Steelers defense was the best he’s ever seen. The local Post Gazette concluded after watching camp that it’s not the Steelers offense being so bad as much as it is the defense being on another level at this point in camp. The defense won seven shots on Monday and Tuesday 12-2, and they don’t just stop but routinely push the run game backwards during seven on sevens. Highsmith’s injury is concerning, but it’s hard not to be excited about the potential of this unit when you realize they are jelling and communicating more and better every day.

Will Howard– Yesterday’s injury definitely wrecks this call, but in homage to his performance in camp, I’m keeping him on the list. He lands here yet again but, this time, it’s not so much due to hype . He was spoken of glowingly by Arthur Smith this week and posted an actual accomplishment when the depth chart was released showing him at QB3. Yes, it was always likely, considering his draft position, that he would make the team over Thompson. But, it’s notable that they didn’t start with him on the bottom of the depth chart (which is often the treatment for most rookies early in camp). They certainly could have done so and then just cut Skylar in a few weeks anyway. But Howard showed enough that the coaches aren’t even wasting time with that. Of course, who knows what will happen now that we won’t see him in any pre-season games (and neither will the coaches.)

Scottie Miller– This is not a “stock up” for Scottie as much as it is a cheater’s extra “stock down” for the WR2 group. Great for Scottie Miller, but when he is the only receiver not named Metcalf catching anything that any of the QB’s toss, there’s a problem. Calvin Austin’s injury and Roman Wilson’s ineffective route running are becoming increasingly larger concerns as each day passes. This is a default “stock up” if there ever was one.

Every WR On The Potential Trading Block Of Every Other NFL Team– Just before camp it was New Orleans’ Chris Olave. This week it’s Washington’s Terry McClaurin. The Olave possibility was shut down cold. McClaurin’s potential is still hanging around out there. It’s very unlikely the Steelers will pry him away from the Commanders at a price they are willing to pay (but given recent precedent dating back the last couple off seasons one never knows). However, until that WR2 situation is settled I doubt there’s any WR trade possibility that will not be immediately linked to the Steelers all the way up to the trade deadline on November 4th.

STOCK DOWN

The Entire Pittsburgh Steelers Offense– It’s much of a “the other side of the coin” here. One can make some excuses for the ‘look’ of the offense thus far in camp, but it’s growing concerning- particularly the OL. Fautanu has come up pretty well, and I could have even mentioned him as stock up. But the opposite tackle position is a very sore spot according to those who are on-site. Broderick Jones has been out with injury and reports were Calvin Anderson did not look good before he, himself, missed time with an undisclosed injury. Many feel this team will only go as far as the OL takes them, and those same people are growing concerned it might not be very far. Truth might even be that if there were a ‘blockbuster’ trade by the Steelers, they might benefit more from finding a Left Tackle than a wideout at this point.

Training Camp Injuries– As Jeff Hartman reported a few days ago in his article: Steelers Injuries Are Mounting

Yes, injuries are a part of the game, but the ‘game’ hasn’t even technically been played yet and, even when they are, the games still won’t count for another month. It is said that “hope springs eternal’ every off-season. Well, the biggest thing all Steeler fans can hope for is that the list of players missing time- which currently includes five expected starters at this point- begins to rapidly shrink. And yesterday’s blow to Howard is certainly disappointing to fans who were looking forward to seeing him play in a couple pre-season games.

Cory Trice, Jr.– Speaking of injuries…Cory Trice is obviously extremely talented. He was rising in caliber almost from the moment he was drafted in the 7th round in 2023. Unfortunately, his body appears to be made of spun sugar encased in snowflakes. He’s had ankle issues, knee issues, groin issues, and now has hamstring issues. He’s been very favored so far, but the reality is this is probably it. It seems he’s destined for an injury settlement or outright release this off season if he can’t get on that field.

Alex Highsmith- Speaking of both injuries and potential WR trades… Man!- a couple injuries and one hot WR target on the market and Alex Highsmith- executor of 287 tackles, 35.5 sacks, 9 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions in just 3 seasons is chopped liver. It truly remains to be seen if Herbig can take the reins on the right side and Jack Sawyer is a rookie, yet “Trade him!” resounds throughout a good portion of Steeler nation these days. I mean, does Pittsburgh even like OLB’s anymore? I can’t ever recall fans thumping the table to get rid of Lamar Woodley when he played opposite James Harrison or either James Harrison or Joey Porter when they played opposite each other. And those teams had some wide receiver droughts of their own.

STOCK OUTLOOK INTERESTING BUT MURKY

So Many Tight Ends!- er um Fullbacks!- no, wait- Running Backs!- or, I don’t know…how about Left Tackles?!- Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Jonnu Smith, and JJ Galbreath. They’re lining them up all over. In the slot- in the backfield- on the line- as lead blockers. It was used so often this week that Darnell Washington was actually asked by a reporter if he would ever consider switching to tackle based on how he was being used- and he didn’t deny he would!  Will all this varying usage make it to the assembly line come week 1? Or is it more like an experimental concept car- interesting to look at, but it isn’t actually road worthy? The future is murky on this one, dear friends…

And that’s it for this week! Thank God there will be an actual game this weekend to watch and get a glimpse of what is theory and what is real in this ever changing marketplace.

What do you think? Anyone I miss that should be on one side or another at this point? What part of the team are you taking stock in and which do you think are too volatile to take hold of right now? Let’s talk about it in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!