Steelers Stock Watch: Justin Fields puts real pressure on Mike Tomlin, Russell Wilson after first week in pads

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one week closer to the start of the regular season.

Using Monday as a rest day after a physical week of practices, Pittsburgh plays its first preseason game this week against the Houston Texans.

But before they start the homestretch of camp on Tuesday, here are the players seeing the biggest rise in stock following week two in Latrobe.

QB Justin Fields

It's no secret that Fields started camp off on a slow foot last week, but when the pads came on, his entire demeanor changed.

Fields was poised, accurate, and decisive in his decision-making throughout all of Week 2, even generating praise from Mike Tomlin after a perfect set of reps to close out the week on Sunday.

That alone has to make Mike Tomlin reconsider just how much of a: " Pole Position " that QB Russell Wilson really has.

With the veteran attempting all of 1 total pass in full team drills, and unlikely to suit up in a preseason game, the pressure is now on Wilson if and when he is full-go during practice this week.

WR Van Jefferson

Even though Roman Wilson was being employed in the slot before his injury, the rookie was the talk of the WR corps before his ankle was placed in a walking boot .

And while Justin Fields and George Pickens hooked up plenty of times over the week, Van Jefferson was a pleasant surprise with his route running, separation, and speed.

Pittsburgh might still be in the trade market, but they have to feel good about what they have seen from Van Jefferson to this point.

The Herbig Brothers

Both Nate (C) and Nick (EDGE) had strong weeks in Latrobe, with the former doing his best to hold off rookie center Zach Frazier and the latter showing why Pittsburgh may have the best three-man pass-rushing rotation in the league.

Nate Herbig has been disciplined and rarely mentioned, which is always good for a center, especially when facing the Steelers offensive line.

For Nick Herbig, he and rookie OT Troy Fautanu have had some great battles in 1v1's with Herbig schooling the rookie more than a few times using his speed or spin move.

TE Darnell Washington

Washington was dominant in backs on backers, just absorbing all contact and consuming whoever matched up against him. That's to be expected for someone who's 6-7 and close to three bills, but he also made plays in the passing game, something fans should get used to in Arthur Smith's offense.