The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Packers in their second of four preseason games. Here are a list of players to keep an eye on in that game.
Jon Bostic
Bostic was one of the three major, outside free agent signings this offseason. He is currently battling Tyler Matakevich for the mack linebacker job. Bostic brings a career of being able to play three downs to Pittsburgh. He didn’t have a great showing in the first game, but neither did Tyler Matakevich.
The Steelers will need a mack linebacker to emerge and my hope that it is Jon Bostic. Matakevich may be better suited as a reserve and special teams ace at this point in his career.
Olasunkanmi Adeniyi
Adeniyi had a strip sack in the first game and while wearing the number 92. It made fans remember the way James Harrison used to do that. Now I am not saying that Adeniyi should be compared to James Harrison, but I think he made himself known in the first game.
I think a possible role that Adeniyi could play is as the fourth outside linebacker on the roster and a gameday inactive because he hasn’t proven himself on special teams.
Adeniyi is battling Keion Adams and Farrington Huguenin for the fourth outside linebacker job on the roster. Another good game from Adeniyi could put him in the driver’s seat to make the roster.
Damoun Patterson
If there is anybody who generated buzz from the first game, it is Damoun Patterson. His catch in the end zone from Josh Dobbs was a thing of beauty. He is currently battling for a spot on the roster.
I would like to see him make a play on special teams in punt coverage to make an even greater case for keeping him on the roster. I would also like to see him have a couple catches in the game against the Packers. The wide receiver position is wide open for who is kept and so it is important for Patterson to have a good game.
Chukswoma Okorafor
The Steelers drafted their tackle of the future in the third round of the 2018 draft. The belief is that Okorafor is a project, but with the depth on the offensive line’s depth diminishing, there are greater expectations for Okorafor.
I hope that Okorafor will make strides in this game and show that he is the future at left tackle. Marcus Gilbert is getting up there in age and so is Alejandro Villanueva. It helps to have a tackle ready to play when called upon.
Mason Rudolph
Mason Rudolph is considered the future at quarterback and in today’s NFL, those are big shoes to fill. He had a decent game in terms of arm strength and confidence against the Eagles and he didn’t turn the ball over. He also didn’t move the ball very well and looked inhibited playing behind reserves on the offensive line.
Rudolph will need to have a good game to temper fears about what will happen after Ben retires. If Rudolph can have a successful three to five years of preseasons, then when Ben decides to hang it up, it will be a smooth transition. He and Josh Dobbs will be the only QBs to play in Week 2.