With time starting to become the enemy for those Pittsburgh Steelers on the roster bubble, every opportunity they receive from now on is precious. Those chances to show the coaching staff that they deserve to stick around are vital to them remaining on the Steelers' 53-man roster.
Some are heading into the preseason with strong training camp performances, but others have a lot left to prove.
Expect the fringe roster players to get plenty of playing time during the preseason, and that means more chances to improve their standing on the team. Those who didn't stick out at training camp could right those wrongs and force themselves back into the roster conversation. Any player who had a strong camp could further cement their job security with strong in-game outings.
Pittsburgh Steelers who have stocks rising and falling as the preseason starts to ramp up
Rising: Roman Wilson
Maybe he won't be a Pro Bowler this season, but Roman Wilson seems more comfortable this year. He has found ways to make plays at training camp, and Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to be shying away from him. It will be interesting to see if he can break out this year and finally take a step forward. This is a make-or-break campaign for Wilson, but all signs point to him producing a positive outcome.
Rising: Asante Samuel Jr.
If there was an early candidate to win MVP for Steelers' training camp, it would be none other than Asante Samuel Jr.
He gained snaps after Joey Porter Jr. was knocked out with an injury. Not only has the cornerback played well in this instance, but he seems to be forcing his way to a bigger role on defense. Samuel is someone who will provide depth, but he could surprise some this year.
Rising: Robert Tonyan
The connection to Aaron Rodgers will only help Robert Tonyan's case to make it on the positive side of the roster bubble. He is a veteran tight end in a positional group that is desperate to round out that depth chart with a proven commodity. Although Tonyan probably won't wow anyone at this point in his career, he's had a solid training camp and could make the team with a productive preseason.
Rising: Robert Spears-Jennings
He was a seventh-round pick with little expectations going into training camp, but Robert Spears-Jennings has gained meaningful snaps with the first team. Injuries hampering the secondary have allowed others to get opportunities where they otherwise wouldn't have. Spears-Jennings is an interesting rookie with a positive outlook going into the preseason, but he must keep improving.
Rising: Broderick Jones
After going from injury question mark to training camp wonder, Broderick Jones has been putting together a solid performance this summer. Injuries to other parts of the offensive line could also help him get back into the starting picture if he has a terrific preseason.
It's hard to fathom how a player many thought wouldn't even be healthy going into camp found a way to work his way back heavily into the conversation, but Jones did just that.
Falling: Eli Heidenreich
Many had high hopes for the Pittsburgh native going into the preseason process, but Eli Heidenreich looks like a seventh-rounder. He also missed a good chunk of practices at training camp, which knocks him further behind the eight ball. The Steelers need to see him become a versatile piece on offense and a quality returner during the preseason for him to get off the roster bubble.
Falling: Malik Harrison
Not only does his contract not make sense to hold onto, but Malik Harrison's poor performance this summer only inflates his issues. Pittsburgh would save a nice chunk of change by letting him go, and there are other options currently on the roster who have performed better. Harrison would need to have a monster preseason both as a linebacker and on special teams to get back in the mix.
Falling: Will Howard
He's not in as much roster trouble as others on this list, but Will Howard should be concerned as training camp gets closer to its conclusion. Finding a way to beat out Mason Rudolph will be an uphill battle for Howard, and it might be a tough circumstance to overcome.
The Steelers would love for Howard to take over the backup role, but this is a veteran team, and the second-year quarterback has a lot to accomplish this preseason to earn that job.
Falling: Logan Lee
Going into the summer, Logan Lee was already on the roster bubble, and some might argue he was already going to struggle to hold onto a spot. That thought process has only sunk further after Lee has missed countless practices at training camp. The sixth-round pick from two years ago has to either sink or swim this season, and everything is pointing to him getting cut and going elsewhere.
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