Loyal Ricks Jr

R² | Read Between the Numbers
Steelers • NFL • Sports
Stats tell the story. I give you my read.
@StillCurtain
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[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Kaden Wetjen’s role is growing — and the Steelers’ latest depth chart might be telling us this is only the beginning.

Starting KR/PR.
Second-team slot WR behind Roman Wilson.

His stock is certainly growing 📈 https://t.co/SIsOndKLww

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Mike McCarthy’s Quarterbacks ⬇️

Aaron Rodgers
Drew Allar

Mike McCarthy’s Insurance Blanket ⬇️

Mason Rudolph

Where does that leave Will Howard?

#Steelers

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

R² Watch 👀: Steelers QBs

Patrick Graham’s defense continues to impress. It’s allowed Pittsburgh countless chances to score equalizers

The Steelers QBs haven’t matched the success from Week 1.

This Drew Allar & Will Howard Conversation could get very interesting.

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Before kickoff, I wrote that David Bailey could expose the Steelers’ biggest offensive-line concern.

Then Bailey lined up across from Broderick Jones…

💥 SACK.

Pittsburgh’s O-Line still needs work.

R² keeps the receipts. 🧾

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Before Steelers-Jets, I had David Bailey circled in R² Watch as the test Pittsburgh’s offensive line needed.

Now the matchup is here.

Bailey’s explosiveness could put the Steelers’ biggest protection concern under the microscope ⬇️ https://t.co/WLurDJyGm6

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

I like Drew Allar….

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Before kickoff, I wrote that Fernando Mendoza’s Week 2 struggles were the perfect warning for Will Howard.

Howard didn’t heed it.

Week 1: 7/9 | 86 YDS | 0 INT
Week 2: 10/15 | 74 YDS | 0 TD | 2 INT

The opportunity got bigger. The mistakes followed.

R² keeps the receipts. 🧾

#Steelers

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

R² READ 📖

Fernando Mendoza gave Will Howard the perfect preseason warning:

One promising performance doesn’t guarantee the next.

Howard gets a bigger opportunity against the Jets — and a strong showing could strengthen his case for QB2.

More Here ⬇️ https://t.co/jGXN66faG6

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@DavidMTodd Man, if the Steelers trade Joey Porter Jr away for another inexperienced QB I’d lose it.

We have two without NFL experience already. Let’s build around those guys instead of giving up our best CB

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@Steelersdepot Will Kaleb Johnson prove he was worth the third round pick last year?

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@nflrums This is probably the worst rep I’ve seen a QB take all preseason…

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

R² READ 📖

Fernando Mendoza gave Will Howard the perfect preseason warning:

One promising performance doesn’t guarantee the next.

Howard gets a bigger opportunity against the Jets — and a strong showing could strengthen his case for QB2.

More Here ⬇️ https://t.co/jGXN66faG6

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Before Steelers-Jets, I had David Bailey circled in R² Watch as the test Pittsburgh’s offensive line needed.

Now the matchup is here.

Bailey’s explosiveness could put the Steelers’ biggest protection concern under the microscope ⬇️ https://t.co/WLurDJyGm6

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@NFLPerformances The kicker said “oh don’t worry about it the end zone is that way.”

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@Xavier_412 📈 R² READ: Wetjen’s rise isn’t just a fun preseason story anymore.

The depth chart is starting to reflect it.

Full breakdown ⬇️

https://t.co/SIsOndKdGY

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

R² READ: Kaden Wetjen 📈

Roman Wilson still has the inside track at WR3, but I think Wetjen can make this a legitimate competition.

If the Steelers keep increasing his WR reps while he handles KR/PR duties, Wilson must turn his camp buzz into production quickly.

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@Xavier_412 I think the Steelers will work Bernard on the field for sure.

But refusing to use Wetjen in open space opportunities is malpractice.

He’ll see action at WR3

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

Baker Mayfield just poured salt in an old wound. 😬

“He’s much more than a gadget guy.”

Kenneth Gainwell led the #Steelers with 1,023 scrimmage yards and 73 receptions last season. Now Tampa Bay is seeing exactly what Pittsburgh let walk out the door.
https://t.co/hJUS1lS8j2

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

It feels like a game of operation when deciphering how the Steelers to move forward with the QB room.

Personally, I think no Mason Rudolph is a chance for Howard to improve his stock.

But if McCarthy likes the idea of an insurance blanket, I don’t expect Rudolph to go anywhere

[Nick Farabaugh @FarabaughFB]

Mike McCarthy announces that Mason Rudolph and Aaron Rodgers will not play against the New York Jets.

It will instead be Will Howard and Drew Allar, with Howard getting the start.

McCarthy adds he 'saw what I needed to see' from Rudolph.

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

@DonChed54 @JakeAsman Trading Mason Rudolph adds pressure onto Will Howard & Drew Allar.

They transform into inexperienced backups instead of protégés in training.

It’s worth considering if the QBs show promise in the remaining preseason AND if the Steelers can receive a noteworthy return

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

The breakdown on why Baker Mayfield’s recent comments should sting Steelers fans 👇🏾

https://t.co/hJUS1lS8j2

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

R² RICKS READ 📊

The Steelers let Kenneth Gainwell walk after:

• 1,023 scrimmage yards
• 8 offensive TDs
• Team-high 73 receptions
• 14 MORE catches than DK Metcalf

Tampa gave him 2 years/$14M.

Pittsburgh gave Rico Dowdle 2 years/$12.25M.

[Loyal Ricks Jr @RicksReads_]

I understand Pittsburgh betting on Rico Dowdle + Jaylen Warren.

But the $$$$ makes this decision harder to defend.

If Gainwell produces in Tampa, the question won’t be whether Pittsburgh could afford him.

It’ll be whether they correctly valued him.