Many off-season questions surrounding the 2021 Steelers were answered during the team's first three preseason games. Nazi Harris looked deserving of his first-round position, even though he suffered an occasional negative run as a result of running behind the young Pittsburgh, but improved offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger must succeed in Matt Canada's new offense. As for putting pressure on the opposing quarterback, the defense will once again be one of the best in the league, as Alex Highsmith appears to have made a big jump in his second season. The holes in Pittsburgh's secondary have largely been filled.
Notably, several players have shown significant signs of progress, cementing their spot on Pittsburgh's first 53-man depth chart. In contrast, many players struggled to differentiate themselves during the team's first three preseason games. Those players will have to make the most of their playing time during the Steelers' fourth and final preseason game, Friday night's performance against the Panthers in Carolina.
As the Steelers enter their final pre-season game, let's take a look at players whose stocks have risen as well as fallen less than three weeks before the start of the regular season.
Stock up
TE Pat Freiermuth
The second tight end selected in the 2021 draft, Freiremuth caught both Roethlisberger's touchdown passes in a win over the Lions on Saturday night. Freiremuth reportedly hasn't dropped a pass during Pittsburgh's entire training camp. Look to Freirmuth as a productive red zone target for Roethlisberger while complementing fellow tight end Eric Ebron in Pittsburgh's starting lineup.
RB Kellen Baileys / Anthony McFarland
Both these benches are in a favorable position to earn a spot on the 53-man roster playing behind Harris. At 6-foot-2 and 231 pounds, Balayage is a solid insider runner who has also shown an ability to catch and pass defense. Complementing Harris and Balage is McFarland's pace, which can extend the defense on the outside. Jaylen Samuels, who ran for 45 yards and a score in Pittsburgh's second preseason game, will walk Benny Snell (more on that later) as well as making one last case to make the 53-man roster on Friday night.
G Trai Turner/Kevin Dotson
Both players had something to prove to enter the camp. Turner remained unsigned for most of the off-season until he was signed by the Steelers following the surprise release of David DeCastro, a five-time pro bowler with the Chargers. A starter last season, Dotson initially worked with the other team's offense in the camp as he continued to work himself back with an ankle injury. Both players enjoyed solid outings while playing with Pittsburgh's first-team offense on Saturday night, as the Steelers appear to be in good shape with respect to their two starters.
DB James Pierre
Embattled in a competitive position battle with Arthur Moulette and Antoine Brooks to become the Steelers' new nickel cornerback, Pierre played well with the rest of the Steelers starting Saturday night. And with Brooks being pardoned/injured on Tuesday, the Steelers will certainly find a place for Brooks, whose size (6-foot-2) and speed — he said Tuesday, would be better than his cousin Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Is fast - would be welcome in Pittsburgh's defensive backfield.
Stock down
QB Dwayne Haskins
Haskins is a victim of his own success. The former first-round pick was not considered a lock to defeat Josh Dobbs from entering camp. Barring a drastic turn of events on Friday, it appears Haskins has indeed sealed a spot on the 53-man depth chart after an impressive preseason. But his performance last Saturday night (he went 4 of 7 for 56 yards in his only drive) and Mason Rudolph's concerted effort have stalled talks of Rudolph challenging Haskins to become the Steelers' No. 2 quarterback. Rudolph put together his best preseason performance, scoring 13 of 18 for 138 yards to put together three consecutive drives that ended in a Chris Boswell field goal.
RB Benny Snell
An injury, Pittsburgh's second leading rusher in the past two seasons, has limited Snell's availability over the past month. Snell has yet to find a carry during the preseason entering Friday night's game against the Panthers. However, he's put in some solid practice lately, and he should get his side to make the 53-man roster at Carolina.
ILB Marcus Allen/Ulysees Gilbert
Although neither player has performed particularly poorly, Allen and Gilbert have yet to make a definitive case for a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Pittsburgh will probably keep rookie linebacker Buddy Johnson, meaning that last spot on the inside linebacker is likely to go to Allen and Gilbert. Rest assured that both the players will try to make their mark on Friday night.
DB Shakur Brown
remember him? The former Michigan State defender was snubbed by the Steelers shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. In keeping with their pre-draft promotion (CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson gave him a third-round grade) along with the fact that the Steelers had not drafted any cornerbacks, the Browns had to make the 53-man roster. was seen as a legitimate threat to Brown will need a big showing on Friday to move ahead of Moulette and/or Mark Gilbert on the depth charts.
P Jordan Berry
Berry could enter his final game with the Steelers after six seasons with Black and Gold. Berry is outplayed at camp by rookie Percy Harvin, who averaged 46.6 yards per punt (with 45.8 yards per punt) with three punts inside the 20-yard-line during Pittsburgh's first three preseason games. Is. In comparison, Berry has averaged 44 yards per punt (with a 42.3 net average) and down two punts under 20.