Even with the addition of star extensive receiver DK Metcalf this offseason, giving the franchise a real No. 1 receiver in as we speak’s NFL, in addition to the return to well being and the buzz surrounding second-year receiver Roman Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ extensive receiver corps is among the many league’s worst, based on the most recent rankings from Professional Soccer Focus.
In a chunk rating all 32 extensive receiver teams within the NFL Tuesday evening from Professional Soccer Focus, the Steelers landed at No. 29 total, forward of solely the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans.
“The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf within the offseason however then shipped off George Pickens. That profiles as solely a slight improve for a group that completed twentieth in PFF receiving grade in 2024,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman writes. “Pittsburgh ought to get extra out of second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who was largely injured final season, and the backfield mixture of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell brings some third-down, pass-catching capability.”
Buying and selling for after which extending Metcalf’s contract was an awesome transfer by the Steelers as GM Omar Khan lastly landed the large fish on the receiver place he had been coveting the final two offseasons. It appeared like Khan and the Steelers had been going to get Brandon Aiyuk final summer time, however Aiyuk left them on the altar and signed a large extension with the 49ers earlier than the beginning of the season.
Pittsburgh then went by means of an up-and-down season on the receiver place in 2024. George Pickens was its No. 1 choice, after which there was inconsistency elsewhere as Van Jefferson was largely unproductive regardless of being on the sphere for over 700 snaps. Whereas Calvin Austin III emerged as a big-play risk, the Steelers had been nonetheless largely left wanting on the place.
That led to Khan swinging massive and touchdown Metcalf, giving Pittsburgh that bona fide No. 1 weapon. Having him within the room offers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith a giant, bodily weapon who is an efficient blocker and a downfield, contested-catch weapon within the passing recreation.
Buying and selling Pickens after the draft was shocking, although, particularly after the Steelers didn’t draft a receiver and seemingly had been again the place they had been for the 2024 season with a No. 1 choice, and questions behind him. The Steelers are calling Austin their No. 2 receiver and clearly have an excessive amount of perception in him. There’s additionally a variety of hope surrounding Wilson, who missed most of his rookie season with numerous accidents.
Veteran Robert Woods gives a little bit of a stabilizing presence, too, although there’s a serious query about his capability to remain wholesome at this level in his profession. Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller are veterans with expertise and play their roles effectively, too.
Whereas Khan acknowledged earlier this offseason that he feels good with the place the WR room is and believes it’s in a greater spot than final yr, the Steelers are nonetheless looking out round for an additional weapon, together with a reputation like Gabe Davis, who may very well be a pleasant downfield choice in Smith’s offense.
Getting into coaching camp with Aaron Rodgers beneath middle, a younger offensive line that continues to enhance, and a operating recreation that must be fairly good with rookie Kaleb Johnson and veterans Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, issues are trying up for the offense. However there’s a massive query mark at receiver as soon as once more for a gaggle that ranks among the many league’s worst for the second yr in a row.
