Week one of the preseason saw the Steelers win against a team that had many starters out of the lineup. It seems like the Buffalo Bills will pose to be a bigger challenge in week two of the Steelers preseason schedule. Both teams are trying to ramp up towards the regular season while they also try and decipher who will make the 53-man roster.
Other than a few injured players already deemed out of this game, everyone else will seemingly get action. It is not known the extent of snaps that the first team players will receive, but it will likely come down to their success. The coaching staff wants them to show quick success and get off the field just like they pulled off last week.
An unknown tackle for the Steelers is starting to gain some buzz
When you talk about the tackles for Pittsburgh normally you hear the names of Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones or Chuks Okorafor pop up. All of them are scrambled to try and finish out the starting tackles with the two starters from last season likely retaining their spots. Le'Raven Clark is another veteran option that could provide depth for this roster.
One name that has been constantly overlooked throughout training camp and throughout the preseason is Dylan Cook. He is a former college quarterback that has transitioned over to the offensive tackle spot in the pros. Cook might be more of a practice squad candidate, but he is a name to monitor going forward. He could push for an extra tackle spot before final cuts have to be made.
After an injury setback this linebacker needs to show up this week for Pittsburgh
The competition at inside linebacker is in full swing right now for the black and gold. There is still a lot of time before Pittsburgh has to make a decision about who they believe will fit best in certain roles on this defense. Other than Cole Holcomb being the three-down linebacker for this team, the other spot is still up for grabs.
It seems like it will be a job completed by committee and that will end up being a group effort by Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, and Mark Robinson. All three are run stuffers that might be able to provide limited coverage. The real curiosity right now is if this club will keep five or six linebackers when they must make their final decisions.
Normally, they do end up keeping five linebackers at the position when they get to the final roster. That allows for different options and depth. That last spot that will presumably be the final opening at linebacker is being fought between Tanner Muse and Nick Kwiatkoski. Both are experienced linebackers and can provide varying degrees of special team snaps.
Kwiatkoski is another run stuffer with Pittsburgh roots. He has been having a solid training camp and was doing well in the first preseason game before he was out with an injury. He seems to be struggling with a shoulder issue, but he has been back at practice. That missed time might hurt his potential of making the roster, but he might be outperforming Muse on the field thus far.
A veteran receiver will get many chances this preseason to make the roster
Everyone finally got to see Calvin Austin III and the speed that he will bring on offense and as a returner. That was exciting to see, and many will have their eyes on the lookout for him again in week two against Buffalo. Even though the top four receivers, including Austin, have already secured their respective spots on the roster.
Those that sit behind them are still in the heat of the battle for one or two final spots to make this team. Five spots seem more like a realistic chance now, but the Steelers could always decide to keep another if someone shows more in weeks two and three. One player that needs to start producing more during games is Gunner Olszewski.
His spot as the returner and gadget player is not secure as it was last year. Austin is going to take most of, if not all of his snaps this upcoming campaign. Despite a lot of question marks surrounding his name this past offseason he still made it back to the team once training camp started. He is still on the roster and has done a nice job leading up to this point.
Look out for Olszewski as he should get more opportunities both as a returner and as a receiver during this game. He needs to have a better performance in weeks two and three of the preseason to have a realistic shot at making the team. He would be a good depth piece, but it might be hard for him to stick around if Pittsburgh only keeps five receivers.
Many are excited to see the young rookie cornerbacks in his debut
Many have been excited to see most of this rookie class make their NFL debut. Each one of the Steelers draft picks from this past offseason made their respective appearances in the first preseason game except one. That was Joey Porter Jr. who has been dealing with a nagging injury in recent weeks.
It is the son of Joey Porter, the legendary linebacker for the black and gold in the 2000s. His son will now take the field in the town he called home at different points of his childhood. His father won a Super Bowl with the organization and Porter Jr. would love to keep that family trend alive. Each rookie had their own degree of success in week one and Porter Jr. will try to be a positive contributor.
Right now, things still need to be ironed out between which cornerback will start when week one of the regular season rolls around. Patrick Peterson's role in the secondary remains tight lipped and it seems like we might not find out till the first game against the San Francisco 49ers. Depending on Peterson's role it will directly affect Porter's starting situation this year.
Don't forget about Levi Wallace either as he will command one of the starting outside cornerback spots. Porter will make his debut against a talented Bills offense that remains one of the best in the NFL. Keep an eye on the rookie and see what he can do defending some of the NFL's best receivers in the game right now.
It is another week for this running back to prove himself to the Steelers
There were mixed results when it came to the play of the offensive line against the Bus last week. They struggled in snapping and protecting the passer overall. They did a better job at run blocking in certain areas of the game. There is still a long way to go before this unit and their depth can be crowned the next great thing.
Najee Harris seemed to struggle on the ground and catching the ball. He could not find much room and that could be tallied against the protection more than just Harris not seeing the field well. Jaylen Warren remains a spark to this offense as he finds different ways to gain yardage with the ball in his hands.
Even though many experts thought there would be a reasonable competition for the final running back spot on the final roster there really hasn't been. Anthony McFarland Jr. has blown away the competition with his great training camp performances. He has also carried that over into the first preseason game where he showed good vision and burst.
Fans should expect another solid performance by McFarland, especially if he gets a bulk of carries in his direction. It seems like the club will try and steer away from giving Harris or Warren too many carries this preseason. That should lead to McFarland and other backs behind him more looks. Expect this player to have another solid performance in week two.