The Pittsburgh Steelers have wrapped up their 2024 preseason, and that means it’s time to track who has done well, stock up, and who hasn’t, stock down, as the team heads to Atlanta in Week 1 of the regular season.

As always, these are just my lists, so feel free to voice your opinion in the comment section below.

Stock Up

Zach Frazier

It was always expected that Frazier would find his way into the starting center role at some point, but most didn’t expect it to happen in the preseason due to Nate Herbig’s injured shoulder landing him on Injured Reserve (IR). However, the early returns on Frazier as the team’s center have been extremely positive. Frazier will have some growing pains, but the arrow is definitely pointing up for the rookie linchpin as he solidifies himself as the Steelers center for the foreseeable future.

Russell Wilson

While most argue if there was truly a camp competition at quarterback, anytime you are named the starter should be a huge boost in the individual’s stock. Wilson will get a solid shot to remain the starter for the duration of the season, but he’ll have to prove he is capable of making plays to keep the starting role. Regardless of what might lie ahead, Wilson’s stock is up heading into the regular season as he is the man in charge of the new-look offense.

Van Jefferson

The Steelers didn’t pull off a big-name trade for a wide receiver, and no one benefited more than Van Jefferson and company. On top of that glaring fact, Mike Tomlin was glowing of Jefferson during his Tuesday press conference, and continued to remark how confident and comfortable he is with Jefferson and the other wide receivers on the team’s roster. Jefferson is going to get a shot to prove he is a WR2 on a depth chart, and the Steelers have no need to go out and find receiver help.

Running Game

When Jaylen Warren left the Week 2 preseason game vs. the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury, most expected the worst possible outcome. While Warren hasn’t been officially cleared to play, thing are pointing in that direction. If Warren is cleared to play, it would be a healthy running back room of Najee Harris, Cordarrelle Patterson and Warren. Quite the three-headed monster toting the rock vs. the Falcons in Week 1. Will a lot of their success be based on the offensive line? To a degree, yes, but this trio also has such a unique skill set the offense should be able to function in the running game this Sunday.

Rookies

Assuming Roman Wilson and Troy Fautanu will be healthy enough to play in Week 1, and that’s might be a hasty assumption, the Steelers will be expecting big things from their rookies who are available in 2024. Fautanu is expected to be a starting tackle at some point, Frazier has locked down the center position, Roman and Payton Wilson will have growing roles throughout the season, and even Mason McCormick could be called into action sooner than later with Isaac Seumalo’s injured pectoral muscle. You don’t want to rely on rookies, but a rookie class who can be called into action based solely on their ability speaks positively on the rookie class.

Cam Heyward

Of course the stock is trending up for Cam Heyward after signing his new 3-year contract extension. Now the job is crystal clear…stay healthy and show you are more the 2022 Heyward than the injury plagued 2023 version of Heyward. Father Time remains undefeated, but the Steelers put a huge boost of confidence into Heyward, and that means his stock is definitely trending up heading into the Atlanta game, a city he called home for the early years of his life when his dad played for the Falcons.

Stock Down

Isaac Seumalo

Seumalo is the rock of the offensive line, and his absence will be felt in every possible way. He was a stud in the run blocking game, and held up extremely well in pass protection in 2023. Throw in him helping Zach Frazier at center makes the loss of Seumalo sting even more. Thankfully the injury is more week-to-week and won’t land him on IR, but the loss of Seumalo is a tough pill to swallow heading into the regular season.

Justin Fields

Fields’ stock might be down, but it isn’t out. After a solid preseason, Justin Fields will get to watch and learn to start the season, something he was never afforded the opportunity to do in Chicago after Andy Dalton was injured his rookie season. Fields getting to watch, and hopefully learn, can be a blessing in disguise down the road, but right now Fields not getting the starting nod should motivate him to improve and eventually take over at the helm for the Steelers.

Slot Cornerback

Who will be the slot cornerback until Cam Sutton returns? Great question, I wish I knew the answer. Right now my guess is DeShon Elliott in nickel and Cory Trice in the dime slot role. That’s if Trice is healthy. Beanie Bishop made the team, but isn’t close to being “the guy” in the slot for the Steelers out of the gate. Maybe the aforementioned plan with Elliott and Trice will work, but until then the Slot CB role is trending in the wrong direction.

Big-Name WR Trade

Everyone was banking on the Steelers bringing in a big-name receiver at some point this offseason, and it didn’t happen. Some fans are more than disgusted with the organization for not getting a deal done, but only time will tell if this is something which will be significant in 2024. Will their gamble pay off?

Be sure to follow SCN for all the latest news and updates as the team prepares for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season.