This week the Pittsburgh Steelers get back to work in preparation for this Sunday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers. But before we dig in too deep, let’s take some time to offer up our midseason stock report.
QB Kenny Pickett
Stock way down for Pickett who seems to have regressed over the end of last season and is a shadow of the guy we saw in the preseason.
RB Najee Harris
Stock up for Najee Harris who has not only embraced his role in a running-back-by-committee but is showing a lot of the same pop and agility he flashed at the end of last season.
RB Jaylen Warren
Stock way way up for Jaylen Warren who just seems to get better and better with each passing week as a runner and receiver.
WR Diontae Johnson
Stock up for Diontae Johnson who has come back from injury strong and seems to be the only receiver on the roster anyone can count on. Plus he finally got that receiving touchdown.
WR George Pickens
If we had done this two weeks ago, we might have said stock up but the last two weeks forced the change and we now go stock down for Pickens’ struggles on the field and a definite lack of maturity.
Steelers TEs
Stock down across for this board who seems to be forgotten in the offense completely. Even before Pat Freiermuth was injured this group was a nonfactor.
OT Broderick Jones
Stock up for the rookie offensive tackle who really shined starting at right tackle last week. The only question is if the Steelers coaches will recognize it and keep him on the field.
The rest of the defensive line
Stock down for the rest of the Steelers offensive line who seem content to get pushed around week after week.
DT Larry Ogunjobi
Stock up for Larry Ogunjobi who did a great job filling in for Cam Heyward while he was on IR and continues to impress after coming over from the Browns.
Outside linebackers
This entire group is a stock up and not before of how great T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are. It’s as much about how good Markus Golden and Nick Herbig have been as part of the rotation.
Inside linebackers
We give this group a stock up as well with a special nod to inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry. Three new players, all basically co-starters, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander have had a significant impact thanks to Curry.
CB Patrick Peterson
Stock down for the aging veteran who has turned out not as good as advertised and become a liability in coverage on the outside.
CB Joey Porter Jr.
As low as Peterson’s stock is, Joey Porter Jr.’s stock is just as far up. The best coverage player on the roster, Porter has worked his way into the starting lineup as a rookie.
S Keanu Neal and Damonte Kazee
Stock down for the two safeties who were supposed to replace Terrell Edmunds. Neither player has stepped up and Neal in particular has been a letdown.
K Chris Boswell
Chris Boswell is already one of the best kickers in the NFL but we are going stock up because he is once against the most reliable scoring threat on the team.
