ClutchPoints
The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their preseason with a performance that spoke volumes about the quality of their depth. In a 31-25 win over the Buffalo Bills, players further down the depth chart made the most of their snaps. They capitalized on a night when most of the team’s top names were in street clothes. For head coach Mike Tomlin, it was a reminder that roster spots are earned in August. A few hopefuls took major steps toward securing theirs.
The Steelers opened their 2025 preseason in Jacksonville without most of their starters. However, their depth rose to the occasion in a preseason win over the Jaguars. It was a clean, disciplined outing. The team protected the football, avoided costly penalties, and, most importantly, escaped without any major injuries.
With stars like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Jaylen Warren watching from the sideline, Mason Rudolph led a makeshift first-team offense to an opening-drive touchdown. From there, the stage belonged to the reserves, and fourth-string quarterback Skylar Thompson stole the show. He tossed three touchdowns and left a strong impression in his bid for a roster spot.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Pittsburgh Steelers roster hopefuls who improved stock after game vs. Bills.
With the Steelers’ top three cornerbacks resting, Brandin Echols was handed a golden opportunity for extended first-half reps. He made them count. From the opening series, he played with confidence, diagnosing plays quickly and attacking the football. His ability to come downhill in run support, shed blocks on the perimeter, and stay glued in man coverage stood out against Buffalo’s reserve receivers.
Echols’ best moment came in a Cover-2 look. That’s where he perfectly midpointed a smash concept. He read the quarterback’s eyes and nearly intercepted the pass. That level of awareness and positioning is what separates spot starters from dependable rotational players.
The reality is that few NFL teams can confidently go four deep at cornerback. That said, Pittsburgh appears to have that luxury. Echols’ versatility and physical style give the Steelers another trusted option in a secondary that will need depth to survive the grind of the season.
Ke’Shawn Williams came into camp as an undrafted free agent fighting uphill for a roster spot. However, he may have just put himself squarely in the conversation. Known for his return skills, Williams flashed that ability with a shifty 16-yard punt return on Saturday. That set up the offense with favorable field position.
On offense, he was even more impactful. Williams caught two passes for 55 yards. That included a highlight-reel grab down the right sideline from Thompson. His night was capped by a 26-yard touchdown reception, which was the game-sealing score. That’s where he separated cleanly from his defender and tracked the ball perfectly in stride.
For a player in Williams’ position,...
