Winners and losers from the first week of Steelers training camp

The pads are on as the Steelers take the field for their second week of training camp. The first week of practices taught us several things -- the most important being where players are falling in the pecking order.

Now that the NFL's mandated ramp-up period is over and we have seen two practices in full pads, we now have a strong sample size of which players are performing well and who is taking a backseat at Steelers training camp. Here's a look at the early winners and losers so far.

Winners from Week 1 of Steelers training camp

CB Donte Jackson

Donte Jackson was arguably the star from the first week of Steelers training camp practices. He blanketed George Pickens on several occasions while earning an interception during team sessions. Jackson, who was acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade with the Panthers this offseason, is on the fast track to being a key contributor on defense.

CB Beanie Bishop

The most unexpected performance at training camp so far is that of Beanie Bishop Jr. After entering the league as an undrafted free agent this year, the rookie has already climbed the depth chart and is working primarily as the starting slot cornerback for the Steelers in drills and team sessions. At this rate, Bishop could have a massive role on Pittsburgh's defense.

DL DeMarvin Leal

After an unimpressive season that saw him being a healthy scratch late in 2023, DeMarvin Leal needed to ball out at Steelers training camp in year three. That's exactly what he has done so far. Pittsburgh's third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has showcased his explosiveness off the snap and is constantly around the football in the backfield. He's off to a tremendous start at Steelers training camp.

WR Calvin Austin III

Calvin Austin's hard work is paying off. He has been praised by Russell Wilson and QB coach Zach Azzanni early in training camp. The 2022 fourth-round pick has been running mostly with the starting offense and has made a few impressive grabs. Austin could see even more work with the starters with Roman Wilson sidelined with an ankle injury.

LB Payton Wilson

Payton Wilson looks like the player many fans expected him to be when he was drafted. The All-American linebacker has put his speed, quickness, and play recognition on full display early at Steelers camp. Despite being a compensatory third-round pick, Wilson appears to be gearing up for a heavy rotational role as a rookie.

Losers from Week 1 of Steelers training camp

WR Roman Wilson

Roman Wilson's presence on the 'losers' list has very little to do with his performance. However, anytime a rookie suffers an injury setback, it has a chance to stunt their learning curve with the team. Wilson is dealing with an ankle sprain and will miss at least two weeks.

CB Cory Trice Jr.

I'm disappointed to see that Cory Trice Jr. isn't getting work with the second-team defense. There haven't been many reports about his performance so far -- good or bad -- but the fact that he's running with the third-team defense isn't a good sign of how the coaching staff views him early in training camp.

TE Rodney Williams

In a crowded tight end room, Rodney Williams can't afford an injury setback. The veteran tight end suffered an AC shoulder injury. Williams returned to the field on July 31, but he appears to be the fifth tight end in the pecking order -- behind Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, and MyCole Pruitt.

LB Mark Robinson

With the sudden depth of the off-ball linebacker position, Mark Robinson has been pushed to the back burner. Rookie LB Payton Wilson has been notably more impressive, and this isn't Tyler Matakevich's first rodeo. If Cole Holcomb returns to the practice field at some point, Robinson is likely to be pushed off the roster by the end of the summer.