It has been a confusing week in the city of Pittsburgh. For a few hours it seemed that the sky was falling as the team dropped to 0-2 and learned the unfortunate news that Ben Roethlisberger would be lost for the season. A few hours later, a resurgence of optimism returned to the city after Minkah Fitzpatrick was acquired via trade. This week has seen the team go through its fair share of ups and downs so what better time to catch up on this week’s stock report.
WR Donte Moncrief – Stock Down
Let’s just get this one out of the way with. Donte Moncrief’s stock drops again this week but that was not the only drop he saw this week as he dropped a crucial pass last Sunday against the Seahawks. Moncrief has now received 11 targets and has dropped five of them. There is really not much to say about the veteran wide receiver that has not already been said. Hopefully he can turn it around at some point but it remains to be seen if he will get an opportunity to rebound against the 49ers this weekend.
QB Mason Rudolph – Stock Up
Get ready to see Mason Rudolph’s name frequently as he becomes the starting quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger’s season ending elbow injury. Rudolph looked good in relief last Sunday as he completed 12/19 passes while throwing for two touchdowns and one interception, though that interception was no fault of his own. He has a tough test in front of him this weekend as he will try to win in San Francisco. The west coast has not been kind to the Steelers as they have won there just once since 2007 but Rudolph proved Sunday that he will at least give the Steelers a fighting chance.
LB Mark Barron – Stock Down
Mark Barron has had a rough introduction over the last two weeks as he has spent more time chasing the ball than making plays on the ball. After being picked on in week one against the New England Patriots, Barron provided a mixed bag of results last Sunday against the Seahawks. With Vince Williams out this weekend, Barron is going to have to be the man the Steelers envisioned him to be when they gave him a two year, $12 million deal this past offseason.
CB Steven Nelson – Stock Up
Speaking of free agent acquisitions, cornerback Steven Nelson has been everything the Steelers have asked for and more. Just a week after enjoying a quiet but decent season opening debut, Nelson blanketed DK Metcalf this past Sunday. Metcalf had a remarkable catch to open Sunday’s game but that was all the breathing room Nelson would provide him, as the Seahawks receiver was held reception less for the rest of the afternoon when matched up with the Steelers’ most coveted offseason acquisition. Alongside Joe Haden, Nelson has given the Steelers a legitimate 1-2 punch at the cornerback position.
S Terrell Edmunds – Stock Down
It was another roller coaster ride for Terrell Edmunds on Sunday as a few gaffes ruined what was an otherwise decent performance. Edmunds missed a tackle on Tyler Lockett on a 2nd and long that led to a first down and he was also burned by Metcalf up the seam on a Seahawks’ touchdown. It has been a confusing sophomore season thus far for Edmunds as he has been unable to string together a consistent 60-minute showing through the first two games.
WR James Washington – Stock Up
If there is one person who may benefit greatly the quarterback change, it is going to be wide receiver James Washington. Rudolph and Washington formed a lethal QB-WR duo at Oklahoma State and they will look to pick up right where they left off now that Rudolph has been named the Steelers’ starting quarterback. Mike Tomlin also alluded to the possibility that Washington could see his snaps increase due to his familiarity with Rudolph during this week’s press conference.
DE Stephon Tuitt – Stock Up
It only took 30 minutes but Stephon Tuitt became the Steelers frontrunner in the sacks department as he was able to record 2.5 sacks in just one half of play last Sunday. Tuitt had his way with Seahawks’ guard D.J. Fluker all afternoon and it will be interesting to see if he can continue to build off last Sunday’s performance.
LB Devin Bush – Stock Down
Rookie linebacker Devin Bush has had a few ‘welcome to the NFL’ moments over the first two weeks. In week one, he went up against an all time great in Tom Brady and it did not get much easier in week two. Russell Wilson picked on Bush for two touchdown passes as tight end Will Dissly was able to reel in both touchdown passes with Bush in coverage. The rookie linebacker did have a key fumble return late in the game, which made his inclusion here a tough one. Hopefully he can build off that as he will be see a large amount of snaps again due to Williams being ruled out.
