Roman Wilson’s rise, Rudolph impresses, where the rookies stand: Steelers stock report

LATROBE, Pa. — For Mike McCarthy, the evaluation process began the moment he was hired. Film work and OTAs gave the new coach some first impressions of the roster he inherited, but it wasn’t until the players put on the pads at Saint Vincent College that the first-year Steelers coach truly got to evaluate his team.

“Mason (Rudolph) would be the first one (who jumped out),” McCarthy said. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with him. The experience that he’s gained, I think, is incredibly valuable to us.”

McCarthy noted that Rudolph has adapted well to the footwork adjustments that have been made during QB School. The veteran backup’s arm talent has also been better than anticipated.

“You really don’t know until you stand next to them or you’re out there on the field, really how each guy throws the ball,” McCarthy said.

Rudolph’s chances of winning the QB2 job now appear stronger than when the team reported to Latrobe. As the players prepare for the first preseason game on Thursday night, let’s take a look at whose stock is up and whose is trending down.

Stock Up

Roman Wilson as WR3: Wilson’s career reached a crossroads after two underwhelming seasons, including last year when he was a healthy scratch. Through camp, he’s firmly in the WR3 role in three-receiver sets. McCarthy noted that Wilson’s speed gives the Steelers a threat over the top, and he’s progressed on the option routes, underneath patterns and big crossers.

“He looks to be more dynamic,” Aaron Rodgers said. “He’s making plays. He’s confident. The personality starts to come out. He’s, you know, joking around more with you in the locker room. I just love it. I love to see guys really coming into their own and really feel like they can be comfortable being their full self.”

At times last year, Wilson and Rodgers were not on the same page. There haven’t been many noticeable miscommunications this summer.

“Him and Aaron seem like they’re on the same page, their communication and where he needs to be with the concepts,” offensive coordinator Brian Angelico said. “Rome has really worked hard in his preparation and film study. I think he’s playing a little bit more quieted, mind relaxed, and just going out, playing football rather than thinking.”

Asante Samuel Jr. pushing for playing time: Joey Porter Jr.’s absence created an opportunity for Samuel to step in as a first-team cornerback opposite Jamel Dean. Spinal fusion surgery sidelined Samuel for the second half of the 2024 season and delayed his debut in 2025. After missing camp in 2025, he’s been one of the obvious standouts this summer.

“I love his ball skills, his instincts and his awareness,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s had a great offseason. I think he’s having a better training camp.”

Dean and Porter are still penciled in as the starters. However, it’s worth noting that Dean has dealt with injury problems throughout his career and has had a bit of an up-and-down camp. If the veteran corner falters or again faces an injury, Samuel has played like a starter. It will be interesting to see if they can find ways to get him on the field in sub packages or in some type of game-plan specific, matchup-oriented rotation.

Pat Freiermuth and middle-of-the-field production: Moving on from Jonnu Smith clarified a tight end depth chart that was murky at times last year. After playing a career-low 51 percent of the snaps in 2025, Freiermuth appears to be a more central piece of the offensive game plan. In particular, the tight end from Penn State has been a go-to target during the two-minute drill, especially over the middle of the field.

“I think Pat has done a really good job of controlling the middle of the field,” Angelico said. “Anytime we get a one-on-one with Pat he’s made some plays.”

Robert Tonyan’s shot at the 53: Tonyan caught 11 touchdown passes during Rodgers’ 2020 MVP season in Green Bay. Early in camp, the 32-year-old tight end, who Rodgers calls “Bobby,” has rekindled some of that old connection.

“I’m obviously partial to him, having spent a lot of time with him,” said Rodgers, who spent the team bonding trip at Kennywood riding rollercoasters with Tonyan. “I think he’s played really, really well.”

Tonyan will stick around in some way. The question is if the Steelers sneak him through to the practice squad as injury insurance for Freiermuth or if they keep him on the 53-man roster as an every-game contributor. Lately, I’m leaning toward the latter.

Derrick Harmon’s breakout year: Pretty much every media outlet predicted that Harmon would be the Steelers’ breakout player in his second NFL season. His physicality, strong hands and quick hips have been a problem for offensive linemen during one-on-one periods. He’s right on track to prove himself as a worthy first-round pick.

Payton Wilson in base: Entering training camp, it was unclear which inside linebacker would stand next to Patrick Queen in the base defense. So far, Wilson has been getting that opportunity. While his coverage ability is outstanding, block destruction is critical if he’s going to thrive on run downs. McCarthy said he’s noticed Wilson’s motor show up even more since the pads went on. He still has to prove it during the season, but he’s progressing.

Gabriel Rubio and depth in the trenches: The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler writes detailed scouting reports on more than 2,700 of the top draft prospects every year. Rubio was not one of them. After missing the final six games of his Notre Dame career and sliding into the sixth round, it was fair to wonder where he fit on a defensive line loaded with depth. Rubio has played mostly nose tackle and been noticeable in one-on-one situations.

“I think the biggest thing down in the trenches for all the guys when they first get in there: Do they belong? Can they jump out there in their first one-on-one, their first inside-run type situation, and so forth? Gabriel’s definitely that guy. I think he definitely belongs,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said he can make the case for at least 10 defensive linemen making the team (between the active roster and practice squad). I’m much higher on Rubio’s chances of making the 53 than I was two weeks ago.

Robert Spears-Jennings’ roster spot: On a team with 10 draft picks, seventh rounders are far from roster locks. McCarthy noted that the backup safeties need to be special teams contributors. Spears-Jennings’ 4.3 speed and nearly 6-2 frame give him the measurable traits to thrive in this role. Because DeShon Elliott hasn’t been a full participant in team drills and Jaquan Brisker is dealing with a recent injury, Spears-Jennings has also been getting first-team reps at times. He has probably jumped up to the third or fourth safety on the depth chart.

Brandon Smith’s spot on the depth chart: When the Steelers took the field for the first day at practice, I had to check my roster when I saw No. 87 trot out with the first-team offense. Smith was not on my radar; he is now. The 27-year-old receiver overlapped with McCarthy in Dallas from 2021 to 2022 and Rodgers in New York from 2024 to 2025. Rodgers noted that Smith might have been the best playmaker during the Saturday Night Lights practice.

“When I saw him last year, he looked like he dropped about 10 pounds,” Rodgers said. “He was humongous, like just super strong and ripped, and he looks a little leaner, and I feel like he’s moving better, and really proud of him. He’s a phenomenal guy, and he’s really smart, but he’s also got some craft to his game.”

Based on practice reps, the top three receivers are DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Wilson. The next group has regularly featured Smith, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Max Hurleman. With Metcalf and Pittman sidelined due to injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith get time with the first-team offense during Thursday’s preseason game.

The Steelers kept five receivers last year on the 53-man roster and are likely to bump that number up to six this year. Metcalf, Pittman, Wilson, Bernard, Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen are probably the six, based on the special teams value the latter two provide. However, Smith would be next in line in case of an injury. I’d imagine he starts on the practice squad and gets an opportunity to suit up if there’s an injury.

Max Iheanachor’s future: Because he didn’t start playing football until after high school, Iheanachor got the “raw” label in the draft. While he has to refine his technique, the first-round pick appears to be further along than anticipated. McCarthy said that Iheanachor passed the first test in pads.

“When I watched him in the first day in pads, I went back to the Senior Bowl tape,” McCarthy said. “He’s a young man, for everybody, (who) jumped out that week when he was down there.”

Iheanachor is still working his way back from injury and isn’t expected to play in Thursday’s preseason game. The missed time could keep him from truly challenging for a starting spot in Week 1, but the good news is the early returns from camp show Iheanachor should be ready earlier than it once seemed.

Stock Down

Malik Harrison’s roster spot: The Steelers signed Harrison a year ago to be the starter in the base defense. Now, he could be cut in a move that would save $4.75 million against the cap. It’s been hard to find Harrison during practice, as he’s slid down to a third-team role behind the aforementioned starting tandem (Queen and Payton Wilson) and second-team inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener.

Gennings Dunker in pass protection: If someone is going to supplant Spencer Anderson as the starting right guard in camp, it doesn’t appear to be Dunker. McCarthy noted that the third-round rookie is “better in the run right now than the pass pro.” The way to interpret that quote: Dunker has struggled at times in pass protection during one-on-one reps. He is still a force in the run game, which speaks to his experience in a run-heavy Iowa offense, but he’ll need to improve in pass protection before he can seriously be considered for a starting job. Right now, he’s clearly behind Anderson and Brock Hoffman.

Kaden Wetjen as an offensive contributor: Wetjen will be the starting returner for punts and kickoffs. But it’s going to take time if he’s ever going to be part of the offense. He caught just 23 passes (on 30 targets) in four seasons at Iowa and didn’t have any catches on throws of 20-plus yards. His size (5-9) makes him a small target. When balls have been outside his frame, he’s struggled to corral them, including on back-to-back plays during a Drew Allar-led two-minute period.

Eli Heidenreich’s shot at making the 53: His Mount Lebanon roots and Navy background make Heidenreich a fan favorite. However, his chances of making the 53-man roster seem dim. He’s currently the sixth running back in the rotation, behind Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Travis Homer and Lew Nichols. I’d predict Heidenreich spends his first season on the practice squad; a Wetjen injury would present his best opportunity to earn an elevation as a returner.

Kaleb Johnson creating for himself: After a disappointing rookie season, we’re still waiting to see the spark from Johnson. He’s still in contention for the RB3 job, but he’s rarely creating more than what’s blocked. He’s also not the most natural catcher of the football (he dropped a pitch during the SNL practice), which is a consideration in an offense with West Coast roots in which the running backs are part of the passing game.

Free safety depth: As mentioned above, Spears-Jennings himself is a stock-up player, based on expectations. Still, the search for safety depth continues. The team doesn’t have a great true free safety in a room in which several players (Elliott, Brisker, Rayshawn Jenkins) are at their best in the box. If another team cuts a veteran free safety on cut-down day, the Steelers could pounce.