Stock up, stock down following Bills' 9-3 preseason win over Steelers

Here are the Buffalo Bills players who raised and lowered their stocks in the team's 9-3 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills' defense had a bounce-back performance on Saturday night, leading the team to an encouraging preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers 9-3.

While there were some close calls in the second half, the Bills defensive unit only allowed 219 yards. They also sacked Russell Wilson and Justin Fields a combined four times. While the passing game had a low impact sans Josh Allen, Buffalo's rushing attack was stellar, totaling 167 yards on the ground.

Here's a look at the players who improved and worsened their stocks in the Bills' preseason win.

Stock Up

Ray Davis, RB

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (22) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Fourth-round pick Ray Davis finally got some running lanes from his offensive line and made the most of them, with eight carries for 58 yards and an average run of 7.3. Davis' elusive running made him dangerous against the Steelers' defense, as they had frequent difficulty dragging him to the ground. Undrafted free agent Frank Gore Jr. (who totaled 41 yards on eight carries) could also make an argument to have his stock raised, but Davis had greater flashes, and his breakout outing is a bit more exciting given his projected role in the offense as a rookie.

Related: Bills bounce back in defensively stout 9-3 preseason win over Steelers

Joe Andreessen, LB

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen (44) tackles Chicago Bears quarterback Brett Rypien (11) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Milano's injury has given many concerns about who in the linebacker room can step up in his place. Joe Andreessen made a convincing argument on Saturday night with 12 tackles and two tackles for loss. Andreessen was all over the field, flying everywhere to make tackles or assist in wrapping up the ball carrier. Dorian Williams still feels like the guy who will fill in, but Andreessen and his great story might have earned some playing time during the regular season or, at the very least, a spot on the practice squad.

Stock Down

Mitch Trubisky & Ben DiNucci, QB

Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Julius Welschof (48) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Ben DiNucci (15) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports / Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports

Neither Mitch Trubisky nor Ben DiNucci made any Bills fan feel particularly good about their performances—the two quarterbacks combined for a passing net of 78 yards and an overthrown interception by Trubisky. Pittsburgh's defense is good, but Trubisky was with the number one unit with Josh Allen sidelined by the weather, and he only got three points in the first half. The hope is that Trubisky and DiNucci improve for the final week of the preseason (assuming Trubisky can go after suffering an injury this week).

Related: 7 takeaways from Bills' encouraging 9-3 preseason win over Steelers

Ty Johnson, RB

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (26) finds a hole at the line of scrimmage. / Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

This is not necessarily a negative reason to be on the list, as Ty Johnson hasn't done anything bad for Buffalo. After recovering from injury, Johnson recently returned to practice, so he's being eased into the lineup; he rushed for six yards on just one carry against Pittsburgh. It is complicated because Davis and Gore Jr. are playing well in the preseason, and Darrynton Evans has also looked decent; Johnson's stock is not down due to anything he's done, he's just getting lost in an ascending running back shuffle. The veteran running should still make the roster, but it's not as sure of a bet as it was a few weeks ago.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Bills HC calls on second-year LB, others to ‘step up’ after Matt Milano’s injury

• Sophomore Bills LB ‘ready’ to enter starting lineup following Matt Milano’s injury

• Matt Milano injury creates telltale test for Bills' coach Sean McDermott

• Bills release WR Chase Claypool with injury settlement

• Bills QB Josh Allen, WR Khalil Shakir top the NFL in this encouraging stat