With the preseason officially over and cutdowns right around the corner, it is a great time to reflect on the Steelers offseason program and performances. While camp has players rise up and fall down the ranks every season, the time to prove it is over. Every team will have to make some tough decisions.
I’ve compiled my list of the top winners and losers from training camp, as well as an honorable mention for each slot. Being a winner or loser doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, but they are the players who have seen their stock move the most since camp began. With all of that said, here are the five winners and losers from Pittsburgh's preseason.
Steelers honorable mention: Najee Harris (loser) and Jaylen Warren (winner)
I wanted to add both of these names somewhere, but ultimately I feel like they didn’t do enough either way to really impact their standing. Starting off with my winner, Jaylen Warren did everything that you wanted a second-year running back to do.
He entered camp entrenched as the top backup, and the Steelers valued him enough to limit his contact. Add in some solid performances in the preseason and Warren appears set for an increased role on this team. He is firmly a “1B” option at running back for this team.
Najee Harris, meanwhile, lost a lot of ground this offseason. The team let him take it easy, but even when he was on the field in practice and in games, it was a lot of the same inefficiencies that have plagued him so far in his career.
No, Harris isn’t getting benched, but I do think that he will see even more of a timeshare with Warren. I see both as co-starters, which is both a boost for Warren as well as a knock on Harris. That being said, I am excited to see how both contribute to this offense this season.