Due to a few injuries and off field issues, there are many players on the Pittsburgh Steelers who will have the chance to increase their stock. Combine that with the fact that the Steelers will welcome the winless Miami Dolphins into Heinz Field on Monday and every player on this team could see their stock rise. Here are all the players who have a chance to cash in on the opportunity at hand and a few players who are headed in the opposite direction.
OLB Ola Adeniyi – Stock Up
Ola Adeniyi has the shot of a lifetime right now. With T.J. Watt dealing with a minor oblique injury, though he still figures to start and Anthony Chickillo on the commissioner’s exempt list, Adeniyi is likely going to see the field more than ever before. If the second-year linebacker wants to show the team that he really is a diamond in the rough, his audition starts now. Depending on how Adeniyi performs from now to the end of the season will likely determine how the Steelers move forward with their outside linebackers next offseason.
OLB Anthony Chickillo – Stock Down
Anthony Chickillo has not rewarded the Steelers much after he signed a two-year, $8 million deal in the offseason. A foot injury kept Chickillo out for three games and now a legal issue will cause him to miss an unknown number of games as the outside linebacker was recently placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. If this is the last the Steelers see of Chickillo, his final line for the 2019 season will read: 1 tackle, 0.5 sack.
QB Mason Rudolph – Stock Up
Guess who’s back, back again. Mason’s back, tell a friend.
Mason Rudolph is set to make his return Monday night after missing the previous game with a concussion. Rudolph looked to be getting into a real groove over his last couple of games before being knocked unconscious by Earl Thomas. Over his last two games, Rudolph had thrown for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. While he only essentially played two quarters against the Ravens, Rudolph did keep the Steelers in the game. With a matchup against the sinking Miami Dolphins coming up next, Rudolph will look to continue right where he left off.
DT Javon Hargrave – Stock Up
If one player’s stock drops, that means that another player will see their stock rise as a consequence. That is exactly the position Javon Hargrave finds himself in after Stephon Tuitt sees his season end with a torn pectoral muscle. Hargrave will now be asked to not only play defensive tackle but also slide in at defensive end from time to time. Hargrave is great at getting after the quarterback and also gainst the run, which makes this scenario not as dreadful as it would seem for the Steelers. It is also a great personal opportunity for Hargrave, who can really sell his versatility since his contract is expiring after this season.
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick – Stock Up
It is always intriguing to see two old partners face off and that’s exactly what we are all going to witness Monday night as Minkah Fitzpatrick takes on his former team. While the game may lack any high stakes, seeing as both teams are a combined 2-10, this will be the first time that Fitzpatrick comes up against the Dolphins since they traded him just over a month ago. The second year safety has revitalized the Steelers’ secondary and you can bet that he will want to continue proving his first round worth, especially against his former club.
K Chris Boswell – Stock Up
Chris Boswell is one name that I have missed over the previous seven weeks but his performances have been hard to gloss over. Boswell is a perfect 11/11 on field goals and a perfect 12/12 on extra points this season. The Steelers kicker is one of three kickers to remain perfect on both field goal attempts and extra point attempts (min. 10 attempts). After a rocky 2018 season, Boswell has responded better than anyone could have ever expected this season. Hopefully that perfect trend continues as the season goes along.
