The Stock Market can be a volatile place, with fortunes seemingly gained and lost in a moments notice. That’s kinda like what it has felt like to be a Steelers fan this season.

Everytime you get the feeling that the Steelers might be on to something good, the market shifts in the other direction.

I was ecstatic when the Steelers totally revamped their inside linebacker position heading into the season. The Steelers filled the depth chart with aggressive, downhill thumpers. There were the expected growing pains, but the physicality was always there, and the group showed substantial improvement by the week. Then Cole Holcomb was taken out by friendly fire, and his tag team partner Kwon Alexander is also lost for the season the very next week. The position went from a strength back to a weakness in two weeks. It felt like the blink of an eye.

There’s also the case of George Pickens. The young man is immensely gifted, but also extremely volatile. He can be explosive, both in a good or bad way. Pickens appeared to be well on his way to superstar status earlier this season, when he became the focal point of the Steelers erratic passing offense, while Diontae Johnson spent a stint on the IR with a hamstring injury suffered against the Forty Niners.

Pickens was making game changing plays each week, and appeared to be gaining chemistry with Kenny Pickett. Pickens really enjoyed being the center of attention, but it comes with a price. Suddenly he became every defensive coordinators main focus. Physicality and double teams became the new normal. It didn’t help matters that Pickens is a trash talker, especially when he called out opposing defensive backs leading up to games.

It didn’t take long for things to change. Defenses easily identified Pickens strengths and weaknesses, particularly within the parameters of the most juvenile offensive scheme in the league. To make matters worse for Pickens, Diontae Johnson returned and took full advantage of the extra attention being paid to Pickens. Pickens has went from styling and profiling, to sulking and pouting. What’s the old saying, Don’t poke the bear. Better to let sleeping dogs lie. If you are going to talk the talk, you got to walk the walk. Quick life lesson for the talented but immature young man: Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it. So far, I don’t like what I am seeing.

I have decided to focus this article on the building blocks that the Steelers can build on moving forward, because the negatives far outweigh the positives this season.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: Jaylen Warren 

Talk about finding a hidden gem. Warren was little more than an undrafted afterthought last offseason. This season he has become arguably the Steelers most consistent and explosive weapon. The aforementioned George Pickens is explosive, but nowhere near as consistently reliable. Mike Tomlin has finally moved away from the antiquated bell cow approach at running back, mainly because the Steelers have a versatile and talented tandem in Najee Harris and Warren. Harris has obviously benefited from Warren’s breakout season, as it has helped keep him healthier and fresher. Harris has more 15+ yard runs this year than the previous two years combined. The Steelers have an interesting decision looming on the horizon, as they will have to make a decision on Harris’ fifth year option. No doubt Warren’s excellent sophomore NFL season gives the Steelers some flexibility.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: Elandon Roberts 

At this point of his career, Roberts is the definition of a well seasoned veteran. He is the consummate professional run stuffer. The Steelers were well aware of that superior skill set when they signed him. However, Roberts has exceeded the Steelers expectations in pass coverage, which has been a pleasant surprise. He has also been an effective blitzer when called upon. But make no mistake about it, Roberts unique ability to stop ball carriers dead in their tracks is numero uno on his calling card. The man plays full steam ahead, downhill, 100% of the time. His intensity and physicality proved contagious for the other members of the Steelers ILB depth chart.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: James Daniels 

I was absolutely pumped when the Steelers signed Daniels last offseason. I had been vocal about my belief that Daniels was the coveted free agency prize on the offensive line. Young, experienced, and talented versatility without breaking the bank. Daniels has proven to be all that and more. Easily the Steelers most effective and consistent offensive lineman during his tenure, Daniels hasn’t been credited with a single QB sack allowed during his regular season career. I mentioned regular season because he may have allowed a sack last preseason, but who’s counting. Daniels leads by example, and he really doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. Fundamentally sound all around, he is definitely a building block to rebuild around.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: Keannu Benton 

Benton is a key component of any defensive line rebuild. Benton is a man-child, unaware of his own strength. He regularly tosses grown men around in the interior against their will. Benton reminds me of a young Chris Jones of the Chiefs. Athletically gifted enough to man any position across the defensive line. Benton’s outstanding rookie season couldn’t have happened at a better time for the Steelers. Living legend Cameron Heyward suffered a serious core injury Week 1, and has been slow to recover, most likely due to his advanced age. Heyward is also due a hefty salary next season, an amount his performance hasn’t justified this season. Players’ injury tendencies don’t get better with age. See former Steelers employee Tyson Alualu for most recent example. That reality makes Keannu Benton’s continued development that much more important.