Steelers’ embattled quarterback Landry Jones had a good thing going for him early in the team’s recent preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

That thing was slot receiver Eli Rogers.

Rogers picked up the ever-important (ahem) Steelers Digest Player of the Game, perhaps an unusual selection, considering the Steelers failed to score a point in the loss.

Don’t put it on Rogers, though. The second-year receiver had four catches for 39 yards, with three of those coming on the team’s first three drives. The issue was two of those drives ended with interceptions.

It seems odd that Rogers was one of the few Steelers’ receivers to not have been targeted on one of Jones’s four interceptions, but that’s the value he provides within the Steelers’ offense. He’s solid, if not flashy.

Teams won’t often draw up plays for a slot receiver, but they’re great options to utilize when presented with certain defensive looks.

NFL Network broadcaster said during the replay of this reception Jones “had numbers” on the left side, meaning, they had more eligible receivers and blockers than the Eagles were defending. This was likely an audible at the line, with Jones aiming to get a short completion to Rogers and get him in space.

Steelers fans certainly aren’t surprised with seeing a receiver screen like this one.

Mayock astutely pointed out the defensive back probably didn’t take the best angle on the tackle either, but worst case, it would have been a three or four yard gain. It was 2nd and 19 thanks to an offensive interference penalty followed by a one-yard run by Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Considering his diminutive size and stature it’s easy to compare Rogers to a young Antonio Brown, but Rogers hasn’t shown the same level of explosiveness Brown had even as a second-year player. He’s not far, though, and he nearly broke this one for a big gain.

The motion of Rogers before the snap was used to identify the defense. Jones saw the Eagles were defending Rogers in man, which likely resulted in Rogers running an option route. Depending on the shade of the defender, Rogers could go either in or out. He put a great move on cornerback Ron Brooks and nearly broke what could have been a touchdown.

These are the things that should excite fans about Rogers. He is quick off the snap, reads plays well and runs sharp routes. The comparisons to Brown are a bit off-the-mark, as he hasn’t shown the kind of explosive playmaking ability on the outside as Brown did early in his career, but Rogers has shown this preseason he belongs in the same offense as him.

And odds are increasing with each passing game missed by Markus Wheaton that Rogers will be out there with the first-team offense against Washington in Week 1.