Steelers with the most to gain against the Bills

There isn’t much mystery surrounding the top of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster entering Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. Most of the starters are set, the major offseason competitions have largely sorted themselves out and the focus will soon shift toward preparing for the regular-season opener.

That doesn’t make the final preseason game meaningless. It’s quite the opposite for several players who are still trying to determine exactly where they fit when Pittsburgh trims its roster to 53 players. Some are fighting to make the team, while others could use one final strong performance to improve their role or erase some lingering concerns from the first two preseason games.

With that in mind, these Steelers may have the most to gain against Buffalo.

Roman Wilson

No player may need a stronger finish to the preseason more than Roman Wilson. The former third-round pick entered training camp with another opportunity to establish himself in a wide receiver room that appeared to have snaps available beyond DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but the results haven’t done enough to remove questions about his place on the roster.

Wilson has received opportunities both inside and outside during camp, and the Steelers continue to speak positively about his development.

Eventually, however, those encouraging practice reports need to translate to game days. Against the Jets, Wilson was involved in several unsuccessful plays, including both of Will Howard’s interceptions, while the passing game as a whole struggled to find any consistency.

Thursday represents one more opportunity for Wilson to force the staff with a decision difficult. A few clean routes, reliable catches and evidence that he can be trusted within Mike McCarthy‘s offense could change the conversation considerably.

Another quiet or mistake-filled evening may leave Pittsburgh wondering how much longer it can wait for that development to appear on Sundays.

Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson is another former third-round pick whose roster position suddenly feels much less secure than it did when training camp began. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle sit comfortably atop the running back depth chart, which leaves Johnson battling for a role that becomes much harder to justify if he isn’t contributing heavily on special teams.

Johnson received his largest workload of the preseason against New York, carrying 10 times for 39 yards and adding two receptions for 15 yards. Those numbers weren’t spectacular, but the increased involvement finally gave him an opportunity to show more than he had during a disappointing rookie season.

What Johnson needs against Buffalo is a performance that gives the Steelers a reason to keep developing him. That doesn’t necessarily mean breaking a 70-yard touchdown run.

Showing decisiveness, creating yards when blocking isn’t perfect, protecting the football and proving he can help in multiple situations, including pass protection, would all strengthen his case.

The Steelers know what Warren and Dowdle provide. Johnson needs to show why carrying another traditional running back is more valuable than using that roster spot elsewhere.

Kaden Wetjen

Kaden Wetjen went from being one of the biggest stories of Pittsburgh’s preseason opener to creating one of the biggest special teams concerns a week later.

The rookie’s explosiveness was obvious against Green Bay, highlighted by a 74-yard reception and a touchdown. His value, however, was always beyond receiver, as Pittsburgh drafted him with the expectation that his return ability could immediately translate to the NFL.

Then came the Jets game, when Wetjen had trouble securing punts and nearly turned the football over. For a player whose clearest path onto the roster runs directly through special teams, ball security can’t become a question mark.

Wetjen can erase a lot of that concern Thursday. He doesn’t need another enormous touchdown to do it, either. A clean night fielding kicks, good decisions as a returner and another glimpse of his speed on offense could remind the Steelers why his unique skill set was appealing in the first place.

Pittsburgh doesn’t have many players who can create the type of instant field-position swing Wetjen potentially provides. And while his spot is at less of risk than Wilson, it’s Wilson’s play that could open a larger door for Wetjen, should the latter seize the opportunity.

Will Howard

I’m still not convinced the Steelers should make their quarterback decision based on whether they traditionally keep three or four players at the position. As discussed in our roster projection, there is a legitimate argument for keeping Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar.

Howard can make that argument significantly easier with a rebound performance against Buffalo.

His preseason could hardly have produced two more different outings. Howard was sharp against Green Bay, completing 7 of 9 passes and directing an impressive touchdown drive before halftime. One week later, two interceptions against the Jets overshadowed much of what he had done well.

Some of the blame for Pittsburgh’s passing-game problems was shared among the offensive line and receivers, but Howard also acknowledged that he needed to be better with the football. That’s part of the development process for a young quarterback, particularly one who missed the entire preseason as a rookie.

Thursday gives Howard an opportunity to show how he responds. He doesn’t need to be perfect: he does need to play decisive football, protect possession and look more like the quarterback who impressed against Green Bay than the one who left opportunities on the field against New York.

Broderick Jones

The conversation surrounding Broderick Jones has changed substantially from where it was when Pittsburgh initially selected him in the first round. Injuries and inconsistency have complicated his standing, and his return to preseason action hasn’t done enough to eliminate concerns about where he fits within the Steelers’ offensive line.

That makes Buffalo important for Jones even if the stakes surrounding him are somewhat different than they are for Wilson, Johnson or Wetjen.

Pittsburgh needs offensive line depth, and the performance of its reserves against the Jets showed just how quickly things could become uncomfortable if injuries strike during the regular season.

Jones has an opportunity to provide some reassurance. A solid performance in pass protection and the running game would give the Steelers more confidence that he can still provide useful tackle depth and potentially work his way into a larger role.

For a former first-round pick, simply surviving a roster cut isn’t the standard anyone envisioned. At this point, though, Jones needs positive game tape. Thursday offers one more chance to provide it before the Steelers begin making decisions that actually count.

One final opportunity

The preseason finale isn’t going to decide Pittsburgh’s entire roster. Weeks of practices, meetings and previous game performances will carry far more weight than a handful of snaps against Buffalo.

But final impressions still matter when decisions are close.

Wilson and Johnson need to show why the Steelers should remain patient with former third-round investments. Wetjen needs to restore confidence in the special teams ability that could make him unique. Howard can strengthen the case for Pittsburgh’s unconventional four-quarterback roster, while Jones has an opportunity to settle some concerns about the depth up front.

By Sunday evening, the Steelers will have to turn months of evaluation into 53 names. For players still sitting near the edge of that list, Thursday night is their last chance to make sure their name stays on it.