Still Curtain
FanSided

Steelers stock rising/falling after week two of preseason

By Brandon Kring

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Devlin Hodges #6 after a 24 yard touchdown reception ain the fourth quarter during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Devlin Hodges #6 after a 24 yard touchdown reception ain the fourth quarter during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs to the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown reception as Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs attempts a tackle in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs to the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown reception as Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs attempts a tackle in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Steelers News