LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers camp ended with a non-padded practice controlled by the defense Thursday. The best news from camp was very few injuries, only Corey Trice lost for the season and other issues aren’t expected to be severe. Here is a look at the Steelers camp MVPs, most improved and those stock up/stock down.
Offensive MVP: Kenny Pickett
· No doubt George Pickens has been the most eye-opening player of training camp. Diontae Johnson and Jaylen Warren have turned heads at times. This camp is about the establishment of Kenny Pickett. The second-year QB has made few mistakes and commands not just the huddle, but the offense. Years of being the leader of the Pitt Panthers, Pickett is now comfortable being the Steelers offensive captain.
Defensive MVP: Kwon Alexander
· He wasn’t even in Latrobe for the entire camp, but a defense in need of a spark at the middle linebacker position, the nine-year veteran brought that. He’s laid wood since he arrived and his two tackles against the Bucs were loud. He brings an intensity needed at the position and will be part of a three-headed rotation looking to try and restore some of the Steeler tradition in the middle.
Most Improved Defense: Isaiahh Loudermilk
· He’s back playing at his college weight and has made plays in camp. He’s a factor during drills where he wasn’t his first two seasons. The Steelers spent free agency and the draft looking to sure up the defensive line and Loudermilk showed he’s still in the mix with his work in Latrobe and in Tampa Bay in the first preseason game.
Most Improved Offense: Connor Heyward
· The guy is a football player. No matter where you put him you get 100% and knowledge of where he’s supposed to be. He’s played tight end, H-back, running back and a fixture on special teams.
After Darnell Washington was drafted, he might have wondered what he would do. Heyward has come out and worked, so much so they are finding ways to get him on the field.
5 stock up
Calvin Austin
· All he was missing was the opportunity to show off his speed in a stadium. Finally last Friday, a 67-yard touchdown reception, a 17-yard jet sweep and drew a pass interference penalty. Big start for the 5’9” receiver, he said this week now it’s about building on it.
Darnell Washington
· Unlike when the Steelers drafted Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington was not a big pass-catching tight end in college. In his first practices on the South Side, you could see glimpses of his talent, but routes weren’t crisp, maybe still recovering from a knee injury. In every day since camp began, Washington has not only shown off his blocking ability, but improves daily as a downfield threat.
Dan Moore
· OK, the first few days of Organized Team Activities, you give the incumbent the edge. When you trade up to get the 14th overall pick, you would have expected Broderick Jones to be the starter by now, or at least getting first team reps. Dan Moore came to compete and continues to do so. Even when he likely loses the left tackle job, he’s earned the respect of his teammates for how he’s handled it.
Nick Herbig
· He’s too small. He doesn’t weigh enough. His 21 sacks and 36 TFL in 31 games at Wisconsin are not going to translate. Like with Austin, it’s just one game, but 1.5 sacks in 13 snaps is remarkable for a rookie’s first game no matter the competition. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
Pressley Harvin
· They brought in the first serious competition to his job this year in another Ray Guy Award winner Braden Mann, but Harvin has been the best punter the last couple of opportunities. He will stay have to show it consistently in games, but has stepped up to the competition to this point in camp.
5 stock down
Kendrick Green
· Even his once ardent defender Ben Roethlisberger is questioning having him as his center his final season. Green wowed fans at Friday Night Lights debuting at fullback and H-back, that continued with at least one rep in every practice since. It seemed to be a lifeline for his Steelers career. That novelty has worn off after his struggles as the second-team center at Tampa Bay. He would need a remarkable turnaround or a firm belief he could be an impact back to stay on the active roster.
WR Hakeem Butler
· Coming off an eight-touchdown season in the XFL, Butler is getting another look in the NFL. He is immediately noticeable on a football field at 6’5”, 230 pounds. He runs good routes, practices and plays hard. Butler can play physically and on special team units. He can make the occasional spectacular play, however he struggled with routine drops. He would need a near-perfect final week of training camp to have an opportunity on this roster.
NT Montravius Adams
· Adams isn’t having a bad camp, but the competition is so much greater than when he first arrived. The 28-year-old was picked up after being waived by the Saints and immediately went into the Steelers lineup two years ago. The depth is much better and includes second-round pick Keeanu Benton, veterans Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts, plus the growth of Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal. Playing time could be a battle every week.
G Kevin Dotson
· He told us when we first talked to him about the Isaac Seumalo signing that the writing was on the wall. Dotson went from a potential steal as a fourth-round pick, starter for 30 games to an extra swing guard at best. Rumors already floating about him being traded with Nate Herbig also capable of being a back-up guard.
OLB Quincy Roche
One more game after Saturday and then maybe some of the toughest roster moves of the last few years. The competition is better, we’ll see what foundation has been laid over the coming months.