Derrick Harmon, Kaleb Johnson lead Steelers stock report after second preseason game

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PITTSBURGH — Self-inflicted wounds spelled defeat for the Steelers in their second preseason game, a 17-14 loss to the Buccaneers. There was a roughing the kicker penalty and three interceptions, including one from Logan Woodside in the closing minutes that helped set up the Bucs for a game-winning field goal.

Preseason games aren’t about the outcomes. They’re about young players taking strides and those on the fringe of the roster making their cases. In that way, the Steelers had encouraging moments on Saturday night. Here’s a look at the players on the rise and those who have their work cut out for them.

Stock up

Harmon’s pass-rush prowess

First-round pick Derrick Harmon has been as-advertised. His powerful playing style and strong hands could help the Steelers take a step forward in their run defense. Just as importantly, because Harmon led FBS interior defensive linemen in pressures last year with 55 (per PFF), he has the chance to be a three-down contributor early.

“He’s had a really good camp,” assistant GM Andy Weidl said this week. “His explosiveness. His length. His hands — he’s always working his hands. Ability to escape blocks in both phases. The energy comes off the ball with. The explosiveness.”

Harmon, who is already projected to start Week 1, flashed that pass-rush prowess on Saturday night. On third-and-8, Harmon walked back Buccaneers starting left guard Ben Bredeson and sacked backup QB Kyle Trask. Later, Harmon held his ground to allow Cole Holcomb to fit a gap and stop a ball carrier for no gain.

“First sack as a rookie, it felt good,” Harmon said. “It’s the preseason, so just ready to get that one in the regular season.”

Kaleb Johnson’s cut-back vision

On Saturday, rookie running back Kaleb Johnson began to show why the Steelers were excited to draft him in the third round. He’s a perfect scheme fit after thriving in Iowa’s zone-heavy running scheme. This week, Weidl praised Johnson for his “vision, his instincts, ability to run into a loaded box and find a crease.” The rookie showed that cut-back vision to break a 14-yard run early in the second quarter.

While the offensive line hasn’t created many lanes for ball carriers, Johnson’s instincts were apparent on a handful of runs. Weidl also noted that Johnson gets stronger the longer the games go on. When he gets a regular workload, his powerful running style may start to show more.

“As you can see, Kaleb Johnson is a dude,” right tackle Troy Fautanu said. “He’s already a confident guy, you can tell. The more reps he gets, the better he looks.”

Wilson’s bounce-back season

After a quiet start to training camp, second-year receiver Roman Wilson has begun to hit his stride. During the first quarter alone, he caught two passes for 72 yards. Wilson did most of his work between the numbers in college. With good top-end speed, he’s also showing that he can help stretch the field vertically on deep crossing routes.

“I know it killed him having to sit out last year with the injury,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said. “He’s extremely hungry to get out there and make plays and prove himself. I think he’s definitely done that. … From the first day we threw this past spring, he’s an explosive guy. Very quick off the line. Great releases. And he’s got good hands.”

As Calvin Austin III recovers from a prolonged absence due to an abdominal injury, Wilson has taken advantage of an elevated role. After losing basically his entire rookie year to injury, Wilson is starting to put it together.

“He’s had a good camp,” Tomlin said. “He’s backed that up with some good in-stadium play. I feel good about the overall trajectory of him, but we have another game and a couple more weeks (before the first game). That time is critical for a young guy. He’s got to keep his foot on the gas and keep working.”

Holcomb’s return from injury

Coming back from a devastating 2023 knee injury that cost him the entire 2024 season, Holcomb’s job was far from secure when camp began. However, he’s looked more than solid. In the first half, he led the Steelers with four tackles. (Undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro later surpassed him with five.)

“For me, I need to go out there and prove to everybody, the entire NFL, that I can still play, that I come back just as good as I was before the injury,” Holcomb said.

When the Steelers signed Holcomb ahead of the 2023 season, he was cast as the do-everything, three-down inside linebacker. His football IQ and well-rounded skill set are still there, which gives the Steelers another candidate to call the defense in the event of injuries. It’s worth noting that when Weidl talked about the inside linebacker depth, Holcomb was one player he mentioned by name, which tells you he’s in the good graces of the front office.

Holcomb said that the injury has helped him appreciate moments like a preseason game.

“There are days where I’m looking back and I’m, like, looking at pictures. … In that picture, I didn’t even think my season would be over that week or that game. So it’s just, like, you (took) every day for granted. Now I’m appreciative of each day, even when it sucks, even when it’s hard. I’m just thankful to be able to keep doing what I love to do.”

Miller’s chances of making the 53

Scotty Miller entered training camp on the roster’s fringe, but he’s been one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets in training camp. As a shifty, veteran route runner, Miller’s playing style fits with Rodgers’ quick trigger. Miller made two catches for 38 yards in the first half. At this point, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t make the team.

Herbig’s injury status

Nick Herbig left the game early with a hamstring injury. Tomlin said he’s O.K., which is a good sign for an outside linebacker group that’s already missing Alex Highsmith due to a groin injury.

Contenders for practice-squad roles

D’Shawn Jamison didn’t help his cause when he was flagged for roughing the kicker. However, he made up for it (to a degree) by forcing a fumble late in the game. He’s a bursty athlete who is buried too deep on the depth chart to be considered for the 53-man roster, but he’s had a solid camp and could be a practice-squad candidate. Fan favorite RB/WR Max Hurleman recovered a botched punt and forced a fumble late in the game. RB Lew Nichols busted a 37-yard run, another strong showing after a solid first preseason game.

Stock down

First-team run game

Steelers center Zach Frazier called the run game “sloppy” following Thursday’s joint practice with the Bucs, who allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (97.8) and the ninth-fewest yards per carry (4.3) last year. Four-fifths of the Steelers’ first-team offensive line started and played an entire quarter on Saturday (at left guard, Spencer Anderson played in place of Isaac Seumalo).

Saturday’s performance from the first-team offensive line wasn’t much better than Thursday’s — at least when they tried to run it. Kenneth Gainwell was stopped twice for 1-yard gains. Rudolph also had to escape the pocket when Vita Vea got pressure up the middle early in the game. This mirrors how the offensive line has played during camp when the Steelers put on the pads for team run periods.

Concern for Kuntz

Long snapper Christian Kuntz was in a lot of pain when he came off the field following a punt. The medical staff examined Kuntz in the tent; he took off his shoulder pads and left the game with a chest injury.

The long snapper is an overlooked position. When snaps aren’t on point, it can throw off the timing of a field-goal attempt. Tomlin mentioned that the Steelers got some “good news,” so it’s possible the injury isn’t as significant as it initially appeared.

Woods’ shot of making the 53

Theoretically, Robert Woods’ physical playing style and willingness to block mesh well with Arthur Smith’s offense. However, the 33-year-old receiver has been underwhelming in camp. It sure seems like he’s been passed by Miller on the depth chart — at this point, Woods could be on the outside looking in on cut-down day. It’s noteworthy that the veteran was playing deep into the fourth quarter, when mostly players on the roster’s fringes are still out there.

QBs protecting the ball

The Steelers took an aggressive approach on offense, repeatedly airing it out early. On their second offensive play from scrimmage, Rudolph targeted Wilson on a deep post, but Bucs DB Zyon McCollum undercut it for an interception.

“The DB made a good play,” Rudolph said. “I was a little bit late to the seam. He just overlapped in Cover 3 and made a good play. I’ve got to either be quicker to the seam or check the ball down.”

Rudolph recovered to complete 3-of-5 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown (to Brandon Johnson). However, ball security was a deciding factor. Skylar Thompson and Woodside, who was signed after the Will Howard injury, threw interceptions as well.

(Photo of Derrick Harmon: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)




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