NFL.com analyst: ‘It will be a surprise if the Steelers don’t add to the WR room’

While most people are (understandably) focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation, many are concerned about the wide receiver position. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson and “replaced” him with rookie Roman Wilson as well as veteran receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller. Not exactly the most confidence-boosting move ahead of the 2024 season, is it?

That’s why NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranks the Steelers’ second wide receiver position as the second-biggest hole remaining in the league.

“Whenever I talk to Yinzer’s friends, the very first comment is about the Steelers front office,” Patra wrote. “It’s George Pickens and a trove of Riddler-style question marks. Third-round pick Roman Wilson profiles as the most likely candidate to play a significant role alongside Pickens, but it’s a lot to ask a low-production mid-round rookie to immediately play a substantial role in the NFL. However, we have seen the Steelers strike gold in the draft in the past.

There’s certainly a lot to like about Wilson. He has the mentality of a Steelers receiver, embracing the blocking element as much as any receiver since perhaps Hines Ward. He also capped his college career with a 12-touchdown season and averaged 16.4 yards on 48 receptions.

However, as Patra implies, Wilson didn’t break out until his senior season. His previous career high for yards was 420 as a sophomore and he had four touchdowns as a junior. It’s been a meteoric rise for Wilson, which is fantastic for him. But is that enough to count on him to repeat this success at the next level?

Patra is even less enthusiastic about the other options available in the wide reception room. He knows that the production that will receive passes will come from elsewhere, but that even more will be needed.

“Tight end Pat Freiermuth will play a big role in the passing game,” Patra wrote. “TEs Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward should also see increased chances to contribute to Arthur Smith’s offense. But it would be a surprise if the Steelers don’t add to the WR space before Week 1.”

We know Smith liked to use his tight ends, especially in Atlanta. Freiermuth could face a lot of targets in 2024. When he was targeted 98 times in 2022, he responded with a career-high 11.6 yards per reception. It would be great if he could combine that kind of yardage with his touchdown production as a rookie (seven).

But Patra’s broader point remains valid. Even in Smith’s run-heavy offense, he still wants capable wide receivers beyond the top target. That doesn’t necessarily mean a superstar receiver, but the team doesn’t have a proven option at the position behind George Pickens.

The Steelers seem to be aware of this, and Mark Kaboly of The Athletic thinks a “big change” could be happening very soon. It certainly wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Steelers make a splash, that’s for sure.