The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Houston Texans 20-12 in their 2024 preseason debut. Pittsburgh was sloppy, which isn’t exactly a surprise for the first game of a preseason, especially for a team with a lot of new faces. There were still some bright spots for the Steelers, though. All eyes were on Arthur Smith’s offense heading into the game, and there were a few players who stood out on that side of the ball. Rookie center Zach Frazier was among the Steelers biggest winners, with a strong showing in his NFL debut.
Zach Frazier Highlights Steelers Preseason Week 1 Winners
Though he had a superb debut, Zach Frazier wasn’t the only Steelers player to shine in their first preseason game. Speedy wide receiver Scotty Miller also stood out among a bunch of guys fighting for a roster spot. And two outside linebackers, Jeremiah Moon and Kyron Johnson, find themselves in a battle for OLB4 after a surprise retirement.
Scotty Miller Stands Out
Behind George Pickens, there are a pile of wide receivers fighting for a handful of spots on the offense. Van Jefferson has cemented himself as WR2, and had a big catch in Friday night’s game. Rookie Roman Wilson will make the roster, but he didn’t play in the game as he deals with an injury. After those three, the next two wide receivers in line are probably Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller.
Both Austin and Miller have elite quickness and can create explosive plays for the Steelers’ offense. Against Houston, Miller showcased his speed on a 38-yard connection with Kyle Allen. He is not an every-down receiver, but Miller’s speed and agility would add a nice wrinkle to a Steelers offense that struggled to create big plays last season. As they continue to work on a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, it’s hard to say what the Steelers receiver room will look like when the regular seasons starts. But Miller’s performance Friday night suggests if no trade is made, he’s a strong contender to earn a roster spot.
Zach Frazier is Week-1 Ready
Pittsburgh desperately needed a new center coming into this season, and one seemed to fall into their laps in the draft. They selected Frazier, who was considered to be the most pro-ready center in the draft class, out of West Virginia in the second round. Throughout training camp, Frazier has dealt with some ups and downs as he tries adjusting to the power and athleticism of NFL defensive tackles.
Though he entered the game as the second center on the depth chart, Zach Frazier quickly showed he is ready to climb into the starting position. Nate Herbig, who started at center, had some issues with his snaps. Frazier had no problems, and he also showcased his high level abilities as a run blocker.
Nice to see the strengths of Zach Frazier's college film showing up out of the gate in Week 1 of preseason. High-end play strength + finishing skills pic.twitter.com/0XnmlM68BI
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 10, 2024
Whether or not he officially gets the promotion on the depth chart, Zach Frazier left no doubt that he should start when the Steelers visit the Atlanta Falcons to kick off the regular season. His strengths in the run game will be a huge boost to an offense who will look to win games through the trenches.
The OLB4 Battle is Wide Open
Though one will ultimately be a loser, for now, outside linebackers Kyron Johnson and Jeremiah Moon are both winners. Prior to Friday, each guy was likely on the outside looking in with regards to a roster spot. Then, Markus Golden announced his sudden retirement just a week after re-signing with Pittsburgh. So, all eyes shifted to Johnson and Moon on the edge.
Both players pounced on the opportunity and put together solid games against Houston. Moon had six tackles, second-most on the team, to go with a sack and a tackle for loss. Johnson wasn’t far behind, with three tackles, one for a loss, and a couple of pressures. Following Golden’s retirement, this position battle becomes a crucial one to watch. One will become the fourth edge rusher, and one will be the odd man out.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports
