Steelers Grades, Snap Counts vs. Buccaneers: Young DL, Unsung DBs Stand Out

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one preseason game under their belts, and mostly looked good in a 27-17 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The first-team offense played one drive and the first-team defense mostly never took the field, so there were plenty of reps to judge for the players that are in deep competition for roles and roster.

Here’s what Pro Football Focus had to say about the Steelers in preseason Week 1.

QUARTERBACK

I can’t begin to understand Kenny Pickett getting a 79.0 grade after what was essentially nine flawless snaps out of ten. How could he have been any better?

Mason Rudolph deserved his high mark, as well, though his biggest impact was throwing the ball as far as he could and letting Calvin Austin III run under it.

Tanner Morgan was unsurprisingly the worst player on the team, with several turnover-worthy plays despite only being charged with one officially.

RUNNING BACK

Najee Harris didn’t even have a carry, so it’s probably best to call this grade an incomplete.

Anthony McFarland Jr. had an otherwise solid night dinged by an abysmal 14.7 grade in pass protection. Fourth-stringer Darius Hagans fared much better in that regard, but didn’t run as well.

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones at training camp, Aug. 8, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

OFFENSIVE LINE

There are 14 players on the Steelers offensive line, nearly enough for three full teams, but it was first-round pick Broderick Jones that saw the most reps of any player, taking 49 snaps, all of them at left tackle. The grade of 61.7 is pretty much in line with what Jones said of his play.

Seventh-round rookie Spencer Anderson was also a high snap count player from the first game, taking 37 reps between left guard, right guard and right tackle. Anderson, Nate Herbig and Ryan McCollum have all been multi-position guys in practice. Kevin Dotson and Dylan Cook flipping from left guard and tackle to the right side was something we haven’t seen as much of thus far.

Many have pointed out the miserable day for Kendrick Green. All of his snaps came at center. Have to wonder if that will continue.

TIGHT END

Perhaps in an effort to help evaluate the tackles, the Steelers tight ends did very little pass blocking in this game. Three players had one snap of pass protection each. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington had none.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19)celebrates a touchdown as he gets a lift from Pittsburgh Steelers guard Spencer Anderson (74) during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)

WIDE RECEIVER

Outside of the top players, Calvin Austin III was probably the player that had the best night, both in terms of number of reps and how well he used them. Almost all of the other depth wide receivers had to take some good with the bad.

The fact that Hakeem Butler got 12 special teams snaps (and made a tackle), along with out-snapping guys like Dan Chisena and Jordan Byrd on offense, tells me those two have a tough road to making the roster.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Steelers played a good amount of base defense, so we got longer-than-usual looks at nose tackle for Montravius Adams and Breiden Fehoko (not great) and Keeanu Benton (awesome before his injury).

With so much base at hand, DeMarvin Leal played almost exclusively as a five-technique defensive end and wasn’t asked to do much work on the edge.

Isaiahh Loudermilk did a little bit of everything, and did most of it well, continuing his strong camp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask, right, is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

The experienced part of this group barely played, with T.J. Watt sitting out and Alex Highsmith and Markus Golden playing a combined 13 snaps. That left plenty of playing time for the others to stand out. Some did, like Nick Herbig with his 89.9 grade. Some did not, like Quincy Roche’s disappointing 41.4.

That’s about the way this preseason has gone for both of those players. With Herbig looking solid and the depth disappointing, it’s hard to see five pure edge rushers on the 53-man roster.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

Mark Robinson had the second-most snaps of any Steelers defensive player, and had a nice day, with the second-highest grade of the linebackers room, after Elandon Roberts posted a 67.7 in two snaps.

Kwon Alexander was dinged for his penalty, which seemed soft, more than his play. Nick Kwiatkoski had a very promising game interrupted by a shoulder injury.

Cole Holcomb was below the line in almost every area other than pass rush. Not a strong start for the Steelers’ potential three-down linebacker.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kenny Robinson at training camp, Aug. 2, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

DEFENSIVE BACK

With so many injured and/or absent members of the starting secondary, it’s not unexpected that this group turned into a hodgepodge quickly.

Trenton Thompson and Duke Dawson were the big standouts, but Dawson’s knee injury put his future availability into question. Thompson had the best game of any Steelers defensive back, despite joining the team mid-camp.

Madre Harper, Isaiah Dunn, Chris Wilcox and Elijah Riley also all had strong grades. James Pierre did not, despite — or maybe because of — his team-high 51 snaps.

It’s hard to fault Jalen Elliott before his low grade. He had one full practice with the Steelers before the game.