The Pittsburgh Steelers are two games into the regular season, and that means it’s time to track who has done well, stock up, and who hasn’t, stock down, as the team hosts the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 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

Justin Fields

When the Steelers acquired Fields via trade this offseason there was a sect of the fan base who wasn’t pleased. Citing turnovers and lack of overall ability, Fields was destined to fail in many people’s eyes. While Fields hasn’t been lighting the world on fire, his arrow is absolutely trending in the right direction. Fields isn’t turning the ball over, is making good decisions, and I honestly don’t believe he’s used his athleticism to his best ability yet. I’m excited to see what he can do if he can continue with his stock rising.

Running Game

The Steelers’ running game might be buoyed by Fields’ running ability, but does it now matter how you run the ball when it comes to evaluating the run game? The Steelers offensive line is improving, and if you are waiting for a high-flying offense to come to Pittsburgh, well, don’t hold your breath. However, what if I told you the alternative could be a pounding and abusive run game? I can’t speak for everyone, but I’d welcome that running attack in Pittsburgh if it equates in touchdowns.

Rookies

I can’t say how nice it’s been seeing these 2024 rookies develop on the field. Troy Fautanu getting his first start, Zach Frazier locking down the center position, and Payton Wilson having a larger role than most expected in his first year. On top of that, we might get to see Roman Wilson for the first time this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. This rookie class has been worthy of the playing time, compared to playing out of necessity.

George Pickens

If you had a thought in your brain if Pickens is a pure WR1, that thought should have passed quickly this season. Pickens’ stat lines don’t bring a lot of attention, but when defensive coordinators watch the game film from Weeks 1 and 2, it certainly gets their attention. Pickens plays which were made, yet didn’t count, have shown he can go toe-to-toe with some of the best cornerbacks in the league. People can say what they want about the rest of the receiving corps in Pittsburgh, but Pickens is a stud.

Cam Heyward

When Cam signed his 3-year extension there were plenty of skeptics. After all, he is coming off an injury-plagued season where he underwent multiple surgeries on his groin. Not exactly giving fans much hope for him sticking around and playing at a high level into his late 30s. Nonetheless, Heyward has been a wrecking ball along the defensive front and looks to be every bit the force he was before his injuries sustained last season. Maybe Heyward can fight back father time a few more seasons after all.

New Faces

When you look at some of the new faces, not rookies, who are making plays for the team, two defensive backs stand out. Safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Donte Jackson have acclimated themselves to the Steelers quickly. Patrick Queen is starting to get comfortable, but Elliott and Jackson have shown what they can do in multiple ways. Both have registered interceptions this season and have also shown a willingness to do the dirty work by way of making tackles. It’s been a pleasant surprise for Steelers fans everywhere.

Joey Porter Jr.

Just like Pickens, if you wondered if Porter Jr. might not be “that guy” I don’t know what else you need to see. Some thought Porter might experience a “sophomore slump” but he has shown the opposite. Many bemoan Porter’s physicality and “handsy” nature at times, but you take the good with the bad. So far this season he has completely erased the opposition’s best receiver. In Week 1 it was Drake London, and in Week 2 it was Courtland Sutton. It’s nice seeing quarterbacks avoiding an entire side of the football field.

Stock Down

Broderick Jones

This should be obvious, but I had to at least put a paragraph here stating how Jones’ stock is down right now. But let me be clear, someone’s stock pointing down doesn’t mean they are a bust, will never get another chance, or their career is over. Jones will get another chance to prove his worth, and I hope he’s ready for that opportunity. With all that said, I can’t help but believe the Steelers screwed this offensive tackle situation up in 2024.

Russell Wilson

It’s hard to put Wilson in this category considering he hasn’t taken a snap in the regular season, but with Fields’ stock pointing up it naturally equates to the other quarterback’s stock falling. If Fields continues to move on his current trajectory, you have to wonder if Wilson will even get a shot to prove his worth, barring injury. Sometimes a player’s best ability is his availability, and that’s the sad truth for Wilson right now.

Wide Receiver Room

George Pickens’ star is rising, as for the rest of the wide receiver room? Not so much. Maybe Roman Wilson coming into the lineup will change things, but the fact the Steelers need a WR2 rings as true as it did in the wake of the vicious trade rumors this offseason. This room is lacking, and it doesn’t take a coach or former player to see it on a weekly basis.

NFL’s “Dynamic Kickoff”

This might not be specific to the Steelers, but the NFL product in general; however, the new kickoff sucks. While everyone was thinking it would bring the play back to the game, it has equated in the same product as years past…touchbacks. The NFL could have moved the ruling on a touchback to the offense starting on the 35-yard line, but instead kept it at the 30. Now, unless you have a perfect knuckle balling kick, like the one Jaylen Warren bobbled in Denver, it’s more touchbacks. Not so dynamic after all.

NFL Officiating

This isn’t breaking news, but the officiating in the league has continued to worsen. The biggest problem? I don’t know if there is a fix for it. Some say making these guys full-time employees would help, but I’m not sure it would do much. There are times I feel the game is just too fast for these officials. Adding more replay? No thanks. It seems like we all should buckle up for more bad officiating as the new norm in the NFL.

Be sure to follow SCN for all the latest news and updates as the team prepares for the Chargers in Week 3 of the 2024 regular season.