The NFL draft is only a few weeks away, and it remains to be seen what direction the Pittsburgh Steelers will go with their first pick. Their moves in free agency helped patch a lot of their roster holes. Quarterback is their biggest need, but this isn’t the draft to address that position on Day 1. While the Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr., wide receiver is still a significant need. However, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is skeptical that Pittsburgh will target that position in the first round.
“Receiver, I think that’s a stretch,” Batch said Tuesday on his Snap Count podcast. “You have two guys that are making top dollar at this particular point. All indications that it looks like they’re gonna give Roman Wilson every chance to earn that spot, which will be that third receiver spot.
“If you’re brining another first rounder in here, at some point, he has to play. He’s not gonna be on your outside because money is dictating that he’s not gonna play on both sides. I don’t see receiver. Heading in that direction, I think that’s at the smaller scale as it relates to the needs that you have for this team.”
Batch is correct that the Steelers have a decent amount of money dedicated to Pittman and DK Metcalf. However, that shouldn’t stop them from adding to their wideout room. They’re seriously lacking in depth there.
Wilson and Ben Skowronek are the only other players in that group currently. Neither of them has shown a lot of offensive ability, either. Skowronek is a special teams ace, and Wilson is a young player who has yet to find his footing. Mike McCarthy is hopeful that the new coaching staff will help Wilson, but that’s not a ringing endorsement for him as the team’s third receiver.
It wouldn’t be wise for the Steelers to just hand Wilson the No. 3 receiver job. He’s been in the NFL for two seasons, and he’s only caught 12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He’s got a lot to prove.
Also, the Steelers have shown a lot of interest in some of the draft’s top receivers. They met with most of the notable names at the NFL Combine, and today they hosted Denzel Boston, a projected first-round pick, for a pre-draft visit.
Could the Steelers go in a different direction with their first-round pick? Yes, that’s entirely possible. However, taking a receiver might not be as unlikely as Batch thinks. Arthur Smith isn’t calling plays anymore. McCarthy’s offense has thrived for years using several productive receivers. The Steelers need more talent alongside Pittman and Metcalf. Taking a first-round pass catcher is a good way to fix that problem.
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