Pittsburgh Steelers' Standouts from Hall of Fame Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off the NFL preseason Sunday night with a 14-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Hall of Fame Game.

Because the Steelers play five preseason games this year, a number of key starters on offense and defense were rested for most or all of the contest. But that was a good thing—it gave fans and the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the bottom half of the roster in a live-game situation.

Here are six players who made an impression on Sunday night—five who did a good job and one who stood out for all the wrong reasons.

LB Ryan Shazier

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Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier's rookie season started off promising but was marred by injuries that eventually forced him out of the starting lineup. That doesn't seem to be the case in 2015, with a healthy Shazier expected to be a full-time starter at interior linebacker beside Lawrence Timmons.

And if Sunday night was any indication, Shazier looks like he could have a breakout season. Shazier totaled five solo tackles while playing nearly all defensive snaps in the first half of the game, and he nearly picked off Vikings quarterback Mike Kafka. 

He initially worked with the few first-team defenders who dressed for the game before playing alongside second- and third-stringers as the Steelers staff took a closer look at where the second-year player is at in his professional development.

Shazier's stat line doesn't properly reflect his contributions to the game. He was constantly quick to get to the football, regardless of whether it was a running or passing play. As Bleacher Report's Chris Gazze noted, "You can tell the game has slowed down for Shazier," and that can only mean good things as the regular season approaches.

WR/RB/KR Dri Archer

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One of the Steelers' biggest struggles since 2014 has been finding ways to get returner-receiver-rusher Dri Archer on the field more often. And that struggle could continue into the regular season, given how buried he is on the depth chart at every position but returner.

But the preseason is a good opportunity for Archer to get meaningful reps at all three positions so the Steelers can determine what, if anything, they can do with him. And Archer was an impact player for the Steelers against the Vikings.

Initially used on passing downs, Archer ended up being involved in all four quarters of Sunday's game, primarily because backs Le'Veon Bell, Josh Harris and DeAngelo Williams were inactive. Meanwhile, all of the team's projected starting receivers were also sitting out, and the knee injury suffered by undrafted rookie Cameron Stingily meant more work for Archer.

Archer rushed four times for 24 yards (and a long of 15 yards) and caught six passes on 11 targets for 33 yards, including a long of 14 yards. He also fielded two kicks, returning one for 34 yards. 

Because of the nature of Pittsburgh's roster, Archer may not be that much more productive in 2015 than he was in 2014. But he's showing off his speed and talent in the preseason. If the Steelers can't figure out what to do with him, maybe they can trade him to a team that can.

DE Stephon Tuitt

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Like Ryan Shazier, defensive end Stephon Tuitt played a significant number of the Steelers' first-half defensive snaps. And like Shazier, his true impact didn't show up on the stat sheet.

Officially, Tuitt assisted on two tackles. But as Steelers Depot's Jon Ledyard pointed out, Tuitt was "immovable at [the point of attack]," and didn't allow Minnesota's offensive linemen to get him out of position. He also stuffed runs with ease and helped create pressure on Minnesota's quarterbacks.

Tuitt is expected to start at defensive end along with Cam Heyward. And though the sample size in this first preseason game was small, we did see enough of Tuitt to see that, much like Shazier, he looks ready to make a leap this year.

OT Alejandro Villanueva

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Army wide receiver-turned actual war hero-turned Philadelphia Eagles defensive end-turned Steelers reserve left tackle Alejandro Villanueva had an impressive debut for his latest team on Sunday night. The 6'9" lineman displayed athleticism and a relatively advanced knowledge of how to play as a tackle in the NFL. 

Steeler Depot's Alex Kozora wrote, "A positive camp [has] carried over into a positive game [for Villanueva]." With second-teamer Mike Adams still on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing back surgery, Villanueva could earn himself a spot as the Steelers' No. 2 swing tackle if he continues to build on Sunday's outing.

Villanueva isn't just tall—his arms are incredibly long. And he's quickly learning how to use them as an offensive lineman. He is a clear candidate to make the 53-man roster, mainly because he'll instantly be poached if the Steelers try to sneak him onto their practice squad.

CB Brandon Boykin

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Newly acquired Steelers cornerback Brandon Boykin made an impression in his first appearance with the team. He did a good job working in space, and though he totaled only one tackle, he was constantly moving around in coverage and was never far from the football. He batted down passes and worked as a blitzer, successfully creating pressure though not recording a sack.

For a player who has been with the team for just seven days, it's clear that Boykin provides the Steelers with an upgrade at cornerback. Head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Boykin has had a "good week." As Boykin gets more comfortable, expect him to insert himself into the Steelers' starting secondary in short order.

TE Jesse James

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Not every Steeler who made an impression Sunday night made a good one. It was not a pretty NFL debut for rookie tight end Jesse James.

James, who took over for starter Matt Spaeth early in the game, cost the Steelers a touchdown by turning to run before securing a 4th-and-goal pass from Landry Jones near the end of the first half. He then committed a holding penalty in the second half, which put the Steelers at 1st-and-16. That drive ended with a sack of Jones.

Perhaps his worst play, though, took place just before the fourth quarter. The Steelers had just picked off Vikings quarterback Taylor Heinicke—or rather, tight end Chase Ford coughed the ball up into cornerback Kevin Fogg's hands, but statistically, it was an interception. 

On the next play, Jones targeted James and the same thing happened—except, James had his hands on the ball long enough for it to be counted as a fumble rather than an interception.

James, the Steelers' 2015 fifth-round pick, is expected to be the heir apparent to starter Heath Miller as early as a year from now. But he can't keep having performances like Sunday's if he wants to make that projection a reality. James needs to stand out for positive plays rather than the blunders we saw Sunday.