Hope everyone has enjoyed their Thanksgiving but I hope there is still some room in your stomach because there is a lot to digest on this week’s stock report. The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a victory over the winless Cincinnati Bengals and have a very important game with the Cleveland Browns on the horizon. Both teams will be fighting for the final wildcard spot in the AFC and with the playoff picture more crowded than a dish on Thanksgiving, this will be a hard-fought game. Before Sunday’s game, make sure to get a dish of this week’s stock report because it is juicer than ever before.
QB Mason Rudolph – Stock Down
Talk about looking like a deer in the headlights, Mason Rudolph has looked lost over his last two games. The Steelers quarterback was in the midst of another less than optimal performance last Sunday when he was benched for Devlin Hodges. It is never a good sign when a team benches the quarterback they allegedly had a first round grade on for an undrafted rookie but Rudolph’s play was more detrimental than helpful at this point. The move is just the latest unplanned development for a team that has seen nothing go according to plan, especially when it comes to their quarterback room.
RB Benny Snell Jr. – Stock Up
Benny Snell Jr. gave us all an appetizer of what Benny Snell Football is all about and now the Steelers will certainly be asking for seconds. The rookie running back rushed for 98 yards against the Bengals last Sunday and he did it against a loaded box most of the time as well, facing an 8-man box on 13 of his 21 carries. Snell now owns two of the Steelers’ top three rushing performances of the season and with James Conner out once again, the rookie running back will have another chance to add to his impressive rookie season.
S Terrell Edmunds – Stock Down
Terrell Edmunds had a rough go against the Bengals last Sunday. First, the second-year safety got “Mossed” by Bengals’ receiver Tyler Boyd during the second quarter. As has been the case for majority of his young NFL career, Edmunds was in the general vicinity but was unable to make on the football. Out of all Steeler defensive backs that have played at least 100 defensive snaps this season, Edmunds is the only defensive back to not record an interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery.
DE Cameron Heyward – Stock Up
While 2017 may have been Cameron Heyward’s best season as a pass rusher, 2019 may be his most complete season yet. Heyward is currently ranked as PFF’s second highest ranked defensive lineman, only behind Aaron Donald. Heyward and Donald are the only two interior defensive linemen to record at least six sacks, 15 quarterback hits and one forced fumble this season. The Steelers’ defensive captain set a new personal best for himself last Sunday as well, notching a career high four quarterback hits. Forget the Pro Bowl, Heyward’s name should be in discussion for First Team All-Pro for his play this season.
TE Vance McDonald – Stock Down
I would not be surprised if Vance McDonald ended up on the back of a milk carton very soon as the Steelers’ tight end has been absent for quite some time. Over the last three games, McDonald has recorded just seven receptions for 45 yards. His season hit a new low last Sunday with just one catch for one yard against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the quarterback play has certainly played a large factor in McDonald’s absence, it is very surprising that the Steelers’ young and experienced quarterbacks have not relied more on their tight ends.
WR James Washington – Stock Up
James Washington has not just stepped up to be a credible receiver in the Steelers’ eyes over the last month but he has also caught the attention of the entire league. Only four AFC receivers have recorded more receiving yards than Washington since week nine. Out of all wide receivers with a minimum of 10 catches over the last month, only Kenny Golladay is averaging more yards per reception than the Steelers’ second year receiver. With JuJu Smith-Schuster out, the Steelers will need Washington’s red-hot play to continue this Sunday against the Browns.
