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Pittsburgh Steelers Stock Watch: Rookie UDFA is on pace to skyrocket up the WR depth chart through two weeks of training camp
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Steelers have managed to get through the dog days of training camp.

With the first two weeks in the rearview, it's finally game week for the Steelers in 2025.

But before we look ahead to the first exhibition of the season, let's take note of whose stock is rising on the Steelers' roster...

Riser No. 1: Rookie UDFA WR Roc Taylor

Roc Taylor has been one of the more consistent WRs throughout the entire unit. Honestly, between up and down days from Roman Wilson, and the injury to WR Calvin Austin III , Pittsburgh's most consistent wide receiver not named DK Metcalf, has been Roc Taylor.

If there ever was a year where a UDFA WR makes the Steelers roster, it's 2025. There is a virtual unknown beyond CAIII and DK Metcalf. If Taylor's strong camp carries over to "in stadium" performances, as Mike Tomlin would call them in the preseason, he might be a shoe-in for the final 53.

Riser No. 2: RB Jaylen Warren

Jaylen Warren is clearly the incumbent at RB, but there has been, and still might be, a real shot that rookie Kaleb Johnson pushed him for that role. However, the rookie was indoctrinated to the Steelers' padded practice in camp last week.

After losing his Backs on Backers reps to Malik Harrison, he fumbled the ball in a team period via a punch-out from DeShon Elliott. No fumbles alone will keep Warren as the clear starter, but when you add on that he was excellent in pass protection, it's clear that the vet has the leg up.

Riser No. 3: TE Jonnu Smith

After a slow start to camp with a day-to-day injury, the pads came on, and so did Jonnu Smith's game. He was dominant in one-on-ones, and he's made his fair share of plays in team settings despite running with the twos in 11 personnel or when only one tight end is on the field.

The more weapons, the better. With Metcalf and Freiermuth solidified as the top two pass catchers, inserting Jonnu Smith into a flex role where he can be the tight end number two in 12 personnel or a slot WR in 11 personnel will get this offense going where it needs to be.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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