When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed WR Robert Woods, the transfer barely moved the needle. On the time, the Steelers nonetheless had George Pickens, and Woods was anticipated to supply depth on the surface and within the slot. However after buying and selling Pickens, Woods all of the sudden seems like the favourite to open the 2025 season reverse DK Metcalf on the surface.
The Steelers may nonetheless look to accumulate a receiver, both by means of free company or commerce, particularly in the event that they signal Aaron Rodgers. However Woods remains to be seemingly going to play greater than initially thought. In debating Pittsburgh’s receiver room and whether or not or not it is going to be higher than final 12 months (as Omar Khan believes), the dialogue has largely centered on Metcalf being higher than Pickens and hoping for leaps from Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III.
However think about that final season, the Steelers had Van Jefferson play over 700 snaps on the surface. His 24 receptions put him in historic if doubtful firm for receivers who performed over 700 snaps and caught lower than 25 passes. In Houston final season, Woods performed 361 snaps and caught 20 balls, and he had 40 receptions the 12 months earlier than that.
Woods isn’t going to come back in and be the receiver he was throughout his prime. He’s 33 years outdated and his greatest days are behind him. However the participant he’s now remains to be going to be an improve over what Jefferson supplied on the surface final season, and his presence ought to go a good distance towards enhancing Pittsburgh’s receiver room this season. He will also be a pacesetter and a mentor for a few of the youthful receivers, however his on-field manufacturing must be quite a bit higher than what the Steelers noticed from their outdoors receivers not named Pickens final 12 months.
If Woods is Pittsburgh’s starter reverse Metcalf, it wouldn’t be fully surprising to see him pull in 40ish receptions. That’s what he did on 666 snaps in 2023, and with DK Metcalf reverse him, there isn’t going to be as a lot consideration on Woods, particularly with a possible subject stretcher in Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson within the slot.
Austin or Wilson (in my view, seemingly Austin) will seemingly be Pittsburgh’s second-most productive large receiver, however the inclusion of Robert Woods and taking a look at him as a direct alternative for Jefferson is one motive why I agree with Khan that the large receiver room is in a greater state getting into 2025 than it was final 12 months. One other 12 months of growth from TE Pat Freiermuth and a possible signing of QB Aaron Rodgers may make the Steelers’ passing sport a power, and whereas it’s not tremendous thrilling, minor upgrades like signing Woods may make a giant distinction.
