The Pittsburgh Steelers need wide receiver help. The cupboard is pretty bare, as they say, behind WR DK Metcalf. Thankfully, they’ll have opportunities to add in free agency and/or the draft.
They’ve certainly been doing their homework, meeting with a slew of wide receiver prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine. You’ll see familiar names like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson, among others. Will Pittsburgh spend its first-round pick on a receiver?
That’s what The PM Team’s Chris Mueller asked beat writer Mark Kaboly on Friday. Kaboly expects the Steelers to do so, even after pursuing a receiver via trade or free agency.
“I don’t think it matters here in the next couple of weeks when I fully anticipate them acquiring some sort of a wide receiver that you’ve known or have heard of as that number two guy, either in trade, via free agency,” Kaboly said. “I think they’re going to do that. I think that’s pretty much a slam dunk. They’re going to add that wide receiver two guy, then draft a guy.”
The Steelers don’t have much on the wide receiver depth chart right now. Obviously, Metcalf is the headliner, and rightfully so. He didn’t have a phenomenal year in his first season with the Steelers, but no one really did at receiver. He caught 59 passes (on 99 targets) for 850 yards and six touchdowns.
However, Metcalf didn’t have a quality running mate at receiver in 2025. Those numbers could look very different if defenses had to respect another receiver at all times. The Steelers are in a good spot to make that happen. They can add a young, highly talented receiver in the draft.
Per Kaboly, the Steelers also want that experienced veteran who can provide Metcalf and whoever is playing quarterback a much-needed boost, too. That might just be the ideal situation for the Steelers. You would have two veteran receivers worthy of being atop the depth chart. Then, you’ve got a young receiver with a ton of promise to bring along and develop before taking over one of those top spots.
Who could that veteran receiver be? If they want to go the free agent route, Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce would be the biggest playmaker out there. Other options include San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings, Seattle Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed and Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs.
There might be some quality trade options out there, as well. One name that the Steelers are rumored to be interested in is Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. The Steelers were reportedly interested in him around the trade deadline last year, but nothing ever came of that. Perhaps that might change this year.
Another name involved in trade talks is Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore. Granted, the more teams call Chicago, the higher price they can demand in trade compensation. Still, he would be a young and highly productive player.
Will the Steelers be able to get a top receiver in both free agency/the trade market and the draft? That does seem to be the plan, according to Mark Kaboly. We will see if it happens.
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