Five Most Interesting Steelers Players to Watch In Preseason
Pittsburgh Steelers football is nearly upon us - Three days to be exact.
The Steelers open up the preseason on Friday, as they will host the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium, for a 7:00 ET kickoff.
As Pittsburgh gears up for their preseason slate, here are five players that are going to be the most interesting to watch.
Beanie Bishop Jr: Last year, Beanie Bishop Jr. transferred to the University of West Virginia as a redshirt senior.
Bishop was terrific, for the Mountaineers in 2023, recording four interceptions, while leading the nation in pass breakups.
Despite being named a First team All-American, Bishop went surprisingly undrafted. Shortly after the draft concluded, the Steelers signed the talented cornerback to a UDFA deal.
Bishop to this point has been a training camp darling. He will look to open more eyes in the preseason, with a possible spot on the 53-man roster, as a slot CB.
Justin Fields: In perhaps the most star-powered quarterback duo the Steelers will enter a season with, since Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick in 2015, Justin Fields looks to battle it out, with former Pro Bowler Russell Wilson.
It was no secret that the Chicago Bears made Fields expendable, after they selected QB Caleb Williams #1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Steelers trading for Fields came to fruition, this after Kenny Pickett was reportedly unhappy about Russell Wilson coming to Pittsburgh, for a perceived QB competition.
Wilson entered camp dealing with a calf injury, which has allowed Fields to run with the first team offense. For all intents & purposes, Wilson is set be the Steelers starting quarterback, but maybe a strong, preseason showing from Fields, who already has looked impressive in camp so far, could get Mike Tomlin to at least consider who goes into Week 1 as the main guy.
Payton Wilson: When the Steelers dealt Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, they received Philly’s third round pick (98th overall) in the 2024 draft. With that pick, Pittsburgh selected NC State linebacker Payton Wilson.
Following his senior season, Wilson captured both the Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Butkus Award (best linebacker).
Injury concerns caused Wilson to fall into the third round. There seems to be a consensus that the Steelers’ selection of Wilson was the biggest mid-round steal in the draft.
Wilson has a chance to climb up the ILB depth chart in preseason, given Cole Holcomb’s injury status, as well as Mark Robinson not living up to his potential. A productive showing from Wilson would most likely have him third on the depth chart behind Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts.
Troy Fautanu: For the second year in a row, the Steelers went the offensive tackle route, with their first round pick, as they chose Troy Fautanu 20th overall out of the University of Washington.
Fautanu, who grew up as a big, Troy Polamalu fan, was the 2023 Morris Trophy recipient, which is awarded to best offensive lineman in the Pac 12.
Pass blocking is a huge strength of Fautanu’s. However, his run blocking skills leave some to be desired.
Dan Moore Jr. is projected to be the Steelers’ starting LT to open the 2024 season. Perhaps there’s an opportunity for Fautanu to push Broderick Jones at the RT position.
Zach Frazier: The center position needed to be a priority for the Steelers to address in the draft, this after Mason Cole’s disastrous season last year.
In Round 2 (51st overall), Pittsburgh took WVU center Zach Frazier.
During his junior year, Frazier was a First team All-Big 12.
The combination of strength and athleticism makes Frazier an intriguing, Steelers rookie. At 6’3, 313 pounds, he explodes off the ball, and is a solid, run blocker.
Frazier enters preseason play in a competition, for the starting center spot, alongside Nate Herbig. As of right now, Herbig has been practicing with the first team offense, which would indicate that it’ll be his job to lose.