Steelers Roster Buzz: Stock Up, Stock Down

The Steelers today officially released running backs Jordan Hall, Tauren Poole, Miguel Maysonet, wide receivers C.J. Goodwin and Kashif Moore, tight end Eric Waters, safety Jordan Dangerfield, cornerbacks Devin Smith and Lewis Toler, linebacker Vic So’oto, offensive linemen Chris Elkins, and Emmanuel McCray, defensive linemen Brian Arnfelt, Hebron Fangupo, and long snapper Luke Ingram.

The roster is now at 75.

STOCK UP

Heyward-Bey has made a late run at a roster spot and he started putting himself back in the discussion with a strong couple days of practices (August 13-14) against the Bills and then had his best game of the preseason Thursday night vs the Eagles, albeit in limited action (18 snaps, including special teams). Justin Brown yet to produce in the preseason and not able to take advantage of his golden opportunity vs Eagles, has opened an opportunity for Heyward-Bey to make the roster and even move into that No. 4 receiver role. Heyward-Bey also has some potential special teams value. “He’s done some really good things of late after he came back from his concussion and I’m just as pleased to what he’s provided us from a special teams standpoint as I am from what he’s doing at wide receiver,” Mike Tomlin said.

The Steelers would seem to be an ideal team looking at the waiver wire for a punter but Mike Tomlin says that’s not the case. “I’m excited about what Brad is doing,” Tomlin said.

Blanchflower, the Steelers 7th round pick, has survived the Steelers first round of cuts and is in contention for the No. 3 tight end spot with Michael Palmer and David Paulson. He played 18 snaps vs the Eagles. It’s a job that is up for grabs and how each perform Thursday night is likely to be heavily weighed.

STOCK DOWN

Landry Jones will start vs the Panthers in an opportunity to prove he deserves to stay. Jones was not a smart draft pick and will never be no matter how long the Steelers try to keep him. He just can’t play at this level. They’ve released fourth round picks in the past, yet, so why should Jones be any different, regardless of the position? The Steelers will survive the PR hit.

Richardson will sit out Thursday’s game making it extremely difficult for the Steelers to keep Richardson who is behind Brice McCain as the No. 5 cornerback.

Brown is a player the coaches really like but has gone from a player who was a near lock to make the team to now someone who might be on the fence, though, the feeling around the team is Brown still makes the roster and remains the No. 4 receiver. Until the Eagles game which could not have gone worse for Brown, running wrong routes, holding penalty, it was difficult to evaluate Brown in the preseason because Landry Jones is always locking in on Derek Moye as his first option. Brown’s uninspiring play in the preseason has significantly helped Heyward-Beys chances of making the team. Important game for him vs Panthers to lock down a spot and keep trust of coaching staff.