His first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers after coming over from the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster trade and landing a massive extension was a bit of a disappointment for wide receiver DK Metcalf. But the expectation is the veteran receiver will take a step forward in 2026.
Yet, despite the expectation he’ll take a step forward under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy and a better offensive scheme with help around him, Metcalf was ranked outside of the top 20 receivers in football Wednesday morning by Pro Football Focus, and didn’t even earn honorable mention status in ESPN’s rankings.
Metcalf landed at No. 26 overall in PFF’s rankings, and fell into the “receiving votes” category of ESPN’s, which had him outside of the top 16 overall highlighted. He landed between Denver’s Courtland Sutton and the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey inside the top 32.
Metcalf was 23rd in PFF’s rankings heading into the 2025 season.
“In his first season with Pittsburgh, Metcalf led the Steelers with 850 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns,” PFF writes of Metcalf in its wide receiver rankings. “His 1.83 yards per route run ranked among the top 30 qualified wide receivers despite posting a career-low 11.3-yard average depth of target because of Aaron Rodgers‘ conservative tendencies.
“The additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard should help alleviate some of the pressure on Metcalf to carry the Steelers’ passing game.”
The numbers are decent on paper. He finished with 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 14.4 yards per reception. He was productive in the red zone, too, but never really became that big-play threat many expected him to be.
That was due, in large part, to Aaron Rodgers’ play style, getting the ball out quickly. The Steelers asked Metcalf to become a catch short, run long receiver. He had some success with it at times, like on his 80-yard touchdown in Dublin against the Minnesota Vikings, or his 28-yard catch and run for a score against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
He also had a big game against the Baltimore Ravens on the road, putting up 148 receiving yards. But it was too far and few between, and he had next to no help around him.
That won’t be the case this season after the Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr., and moved up in the draft to land Alabama’s Germie Bernard in the second round. With help around him, Metcalf should take a step forward in a more friendly passing attack under McCarthy.
If he does, he’ll be much higher in the rankings this time next summer.
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