Roman Wilson certainly could put it all together in Year 3, but it might be too late to get an opportunity to show it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded for DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. over the last two offseasons and have shown a ton of interest in the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Improvement means nothing without an opportunity to show it, and that might be the story of Wilson’s 2026 season.
“As for Roman Wilson goes, listen, if they draft two receivers, he’s probably battling one of those draft picks for the fourth or fifth receiver spot. I don’t think there’s any way right now he climbs up to number three,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo said Wednesday via 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show. “If they draft a receiver in the first or second round, that guy is gonna get preferential treatment.
“I think both [Kaleb Johnson and Roman Wilson] have an uphill climb right now to be significant contributors in 2026.”
Day 1 and 2 of the draft is where teams can find meaningful starters who are usually ready to contribute right away. Kaleb Johnson and Roman Wilson have done next to nothing to start their careers as two recent third rounders.
In fact, the Steelers have a bad recent history in the third round in general.
Kaleb Johnson, Roman Wilson, DeMarvin Leal, Kendrick Green, and Justin Layne were five of the Steelers’ last nine third-round picks.
As for Wilson specifically, he was buried at the bottom of the depth chart by the end of his second season, leap-frogged by newcomers like Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. When he was on the field, Aaron Rodgers showed visible frustration toward him after certain plays.
In 14 games played, Wilson has just 258 offensive snaps, 21 targets, 12 receptions, and 166 yards with two TDs. At least one of those scores came in garbage time at the end of a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Mike McCarthy’s last two Dallas Cowboys rosters carried either five or six receivers on the roster. Let’s do some math. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Ben Skowronek should be considered locks. So what happens if they double dip at receiver in the draft like many have predicted. Wilson isn’t a special teams contributor, and fifth or sixth receivers don’t stick around unless they can contribute in that area.
At what point do the Steelers cut bait and accept that the pick simply didn’t work out?
There is still a path for Wilson if things break right.
Pittsburgh has its two starters on the outside and needs a fast and shifty slot option. Wilson is the closest to fitting that profile on the roster at the moment. If Pittsburgh uses its first- or second-round pick on an outside receiver like Denzel Boston or Malachi Fields, the door would still be open for Wilson to seize the slot role.
The new coaching staff could also like him much more than Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith appeared to.
If they draft someone like KC Concepcion or Makai Lemon, it may be too late. Wilson could find himself firmly on the roster bubble.
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