Five Steelers on the rise after first week of training camp

The next time the Steelers take the practice field, they'll be in pads, which is when many believe real football begins.

While putting on the pads can change a lot, here are the five players who are on the rise following the first week of training camp.

Cornerback Beanie Bishop

Bishop, an undrafted rookie, has been one of the biggest stars of training camp thus far. He has earned reps at slot corner with the first-team defense and has looked the part, flashing his coverage ability .

Why Bishop went undrafted is up for debate. The West Virginia product was all over the field in 2023, registering a career-high 67 tackles, four interceptions and 24 passes defensed. He also returned a punt for a touchdown.

However, he knows he has far from earned a starting job.

"I have to come back tomorrow and prove myself again and do the same thing the next day," Bishop said . "...I'm trying to take advantage of all the reps that I get. Every day I'm coming to compete for a spot just like everyone else."

If the 5-foot-10, 184-pound corner can still hang when the pads come on, Pittsburgh may have found itself a diamond in the rough.

Cornerback Donte Jackson

The Steelers' decision to trade wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Jackson has been highly debated, but it may turn out to be a fair trade. At least, that's what early signs are pointing to.

Jackson has been impressive through the first few practices, forcing quarterback Justin Fields to throw his first interception of camp and matching up well against wide receiver George Pickens.

Head coach Mike Tomlin is not surprised to see his strong start, however.

"I like his energy, I like his spirit," Tomlin said . "He's a football lover, he's competitive, but we knew that about him before he got here. That's why he's here. He's just confirming some of that."

Quarterback Justin Fields

Fields has been running with the first-team offense while fellow quarterback Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury and has been taking advantage of his reps.

He showed off his athleticism during a read option , going untouched for the first 10 yards of the 20-plus yard carry, and then displayed his arm strength, connecting on long passes with wide receivers Calvin Austin III and George Pickens .

While Wilson is in a competition with Fields, he thinks his counterpart has faired well so far.

"He's done a good job. Every play, he's going against a really good defense," Wilson said . "He's a really good competitor. He processes well and he's a tremendous young talent, for sure."

Wilson still has the "pole position" to be Pittsburgh's starter and will likely return on Tuesday, but if Fields continues to stack good practices and preseason performances, he'll give Wilson a run for his money.

Linebacker Payton Wilson

Wilson has been the first player to take the field almost every day of training camp. That has caught the attention of those in attendance, but his play is starting to catch the attention of his teammates, too.

On Sunday, the rookie linebacker earned reps with the first-team defense and forced a fumble on tight end Pat Freiermuth.

It's safe to say veteran safety DeShon Elliott is impressed.

"He might be the most mature rookie when it comes to preparation," Elliott said . "He's a freak athlete. He's really smart. He learns from his mistakes, and he doesn't repeat them twice."

It will still be tough for Wilson to win a starting job with veterans Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts likely to be the starters, but he could carve out a role for himself if he continues playing the way he has been.

Wide receiver Roman Wilson

Wilson had a bit of a bumpy start during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but he seems to be catching up to the NFL's speed.

The rookie wide receiver had his best day yet on Sunday, making a couple of nice catches, including a deep fade over Bishop.

The Steelers must find a way to replicate the production of Johnson in the pass attack. If Wilson continues to trend in the right direction, he could help do just that in his first year. The third-round pick registered 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year at Michigan.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.