6 players whose stock has gone up since the start of training camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for preseason action after three grueling weeks of training camp practice. From the start of camp until now, much has changed. Outstanding performances have caught the eye of Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff while minor injuries paved the way for others to step up and showcase their skills.

The summer is winding down, and dozens of players will look to translate their strong training camp performances to the preseason stage. So far, we have seen tremendous progress from numerous players since the start of Steelers training camp. Here are six players whose stock has risen the most.

Players with rising stock at Steelers training camp

LB Payton Wilson

It wasn't shocking to see Payton Wilson get himself up to speed quickly. While the All-American linebacker has an extensive injury history (which caused him to slip in the 2024 NFL Draft), he was a fantastic player at NC State before entering the big leagues.

As a 24-year-old rookie, Wilson already carries himself like a savvy vet, but he's still showing improvement every day. His closing speed and play recognition are evident and he's picking things up quickly. At this rate, he will have a prominent role on Pittsburgh's defense in no time.

CB Cory Trice Jr.

Early in training camp, there were major concerns about Cory Trice. The former Purdue cornerback and seventh-round draft choice was running with the third-team defense and seeing limited action in team sessions.

Thankfully, his playing time has since ramped up, as it appeared the team was being cautious with him after his ACL recovery. Recently, Trice has even earned reps with the starting defense. The fact that he's listed as the primary backup cornerback behind Joey Porter Jr. on Pittsburgh's initial depth chart is a great sign of where he stands with the team.

WR Van Jefferson

Nobody had lofty expectations for Van Jefferson when the Steelers signed him during the 2024 offseason, and those haven't changed much. The veteran wide receiver was unspectacular with Arthur Smith and the Falcons last season, so there isn't much reason to expect his efficiency to suddenly skyrocket.

Still, it's impossible to argue that Jefferson hasn't had a strong training camp. The savvy receiver has emerged as the clear WR2 behind only George Pickens thanks to his strong hands and quality route-running. Jefferson may not be the answer, but his spot on the team is more than secure, based on his progression throughout Steelers training camp.

QB Justin Fields

The quarterback 'competition' in Pittsburgh never felt legitimate until Justin Fields started balling out. The talented QB started balling out when the pads came on, and he continues to improve throughout camp.

Fields' outstanding performance in practice has been convincing, and his arm talent and running ability are impossible to miss. With how much his stock has risen throughout camp, it's safe to assume that the 25-year-old quarterback will see the field at some point this season. At this rate, his time could come sooner than expected.

CB Beanie Bishop Jr.

Arguably the biggest camp star (and certainly the biggest surprise) has been undrafted rookie cornerback, Beanie Bishop Jr. The undersized CB played six years of college football -- including a final season at West Virginia -- before being picked up by the Steelers shortly after the 2024 draft.

Bishop quickly worked his way up the ladder and was Pittsburgh's starting slot cornerback by the start of camp. Since then, the rookie has made strides with the first-team defense and looks like he belongs. Bishop hasn't been perfect, but he has grossly exceeded early expectations and his stock continues to rise.

OT Troy Fautanu

As a first-round pick, expectations are going to be reasonably high for Troy Fautanu. However, the athletic offensive tackle is performing better than anyone expected at this point. During one-on-one OL vs. DL drills, Fautanu put up a fight against Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt with his outstanding footwork and leverage.

In recent practices, Fautanu has earned significant snaps as the team's starting right tackle -- the position he is expected to play early in his career. Fautanu is further along than Broderick Jones was last year, and it wouldn't be shocking to see him earn a starting job by the time the season starts.