Wide receiver was a need going into the 2024 offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Diontae Johnson was then traded, making the situation even more pressing.
They have been busily expanding the roster with receivers ever since.
Since trading Johnson, they have added Cordarrelle Patterson, Quez Watkins, and Van Jefferson to their roster.
Regretfully, none of them can satisfy their needs at WR2.
Because of his skill as a kick returner, Patterson is guaranteed a spot on the squad, but the other two will have to compete with Calvin Austin for a spot on the depth chart in the preseason.
Austin, Jefferson, or Watkins might have to look for a new team before the season starts as a result of this.
Ray Fittipaldo, a Steelers insider, stated on 93.7 The Fan that he thinks one of those three won’t be a member of the team when the 2024 NFL season begins.
“I think they’re currently accumulating receivers ranked four and five. Watkins, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin are all yours. Fittipaldo stated, “At this point, I don’t think any of those guys rank among the top three receivers” (via Steelers Nation). Thus, I believe there’s a good probability one of those players won’t be with the team in September.
The Need for a Wide Receiver by the Steelers
Over the past several weeks, the Steelers have been busy adding wide receivers to their roster: Patterson, Watkins, and Jefferson.
Still, they haven’t taken care of their most pressing requirement.
George Pickens, who amassed 1140 yards in the previous season, will likely carry a large portion of the receiver load in 2024.
It’s looking more and more likely that the Steelers will try to find that man in the draft since he’s going to need someone to relieve some of the strain on him in their WR2 slot next season.
The alternatives at the position are narrowing at this point in free agency, and it appears that they aren’t trying to sign Tyler Boyd for whatever reason.
Even if they still need to take care of a few other things, that might lead them to a draft that is deep at the position.
It should still be possible for Jefferson, Watkins, and Austin to compete for playing time even if the Steelers do select a receiver in the draft.
Disputes about Depth Chart Spots
Despite Fittipaldo’s assessment of them as WR4s and WR5, these three will probably compete for the third and fourth spots in the depth chart.
Their seasons in 2023 were remarkably similar.
In his first season of NFL action, Austin has 17 catches for 180 yards.
Jefferson spent his season between the Rams and Falcons, totaling 20 catches for 209 yards.
Watkins gained 142 yards off 15 catches.
Although those aren’t the kind of numbers that most teams would be searching for at wide receiver, the Steelers may not really be prioritizing this position given that they anticipate becoming a run-heavy club in 2024.
Given that, it doesn’t seem realistic that the team will acquire a WR3 in addition to the WR2 they already require.
Of the three vying for the WR3 and WR4 spots, Austin’s status ought to be the most secure. He is the only one of the three with a contract that runs through 2025, and it is an inexpensive one.
He is also the receiver with the best opportunity to go to the following season despite only having played one season.
Even though this isn’t the Steelers’ most publicized position struggle, it will be interesting to see how the team’s wide receiver situation develops this offseason.
