The Steelers played their second game of the preseason and the roster is beginning to take shape. The team had several players improve their chances to make the team while others fell further from that goal.
The Steelers second preseason game saw them win 17-7 over the Chiefs and the starters got a little more playing time. The defense looked impressive with most of its starters in for two series.
The offense had Mason Rudolph behind center to start the game as Ben Roethlisberger‘s debut will come next week. James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster also got some playing time in the game before the reserves took over.
The starters getting action is not the main event of a preseason game as we know they will make the 53-man roster. The really interesting aspect of these games is how the guys in the middle of position battles and guys on the fringe perform.
The Steelers had a few guys show up in the game that helped get eyes on them as contributors for a 53-man spot. Others ended up falling further behind in the race for the regular season roster.
James Washington: Stock – Soaring up
James Washington was disappointing in 2018 for much of the year. He looked lost on routes and just overall seemed out of sync with the rest of the receivers and his QB.
Fast-forward to 2019 and Washington has turned many heads in camp and his first two preseason games. In those two games, he has eight receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.
Washington has received praise all through camp and it showed up in his game action. He has had several splash plays, in two games, as well as a great adjustment on a perfect throw from Rudolph for a touchdown against Tampa in week one.
Washington’s big play ability was a big part of him being taken by Pittsburgh in 2018. He showed it often in college but it never translated in his rookie year.
The Steelers brought in Donte Moncrief during the offseason, after the departure of Antonio Brown, to be the number two receiver behind Smith-Schuster. Washington is making a strong case to be that number two option but regardless, he is well on his way to earning a lot of playing time in 2019.