The Steelers are trying to sort out their No. 3 WR role, but they’re not alone—and the Ravens are among their company. Like Pittsburgh, Baltimore has two clear starters, and then a mixture of young players vying for the vacant position. In both cases, it’s a third-year mid-round pick trying to hold off a (relatively) pedigreed rookie.
For the Steelers, it’s Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round pick, facing rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard. The Ravens’ No. 3 WR role figures to come down to 2024 fourth-rounder Devontez Walker and rookie third-rounder Ja’Kobi Lane. Baltimore also drafted another wide receiver, Elijah Sarratt, in the fourth round.
Of course, the Steelers, like the Ravens, also drafted a player in the fourth round who could be in the WR mix in Kaden Wetjen. But unlike Sarratt, Wetjen it pretty limited in what he can do on offense. Pittsburgh drafted him as their return man, whereas Sarratt is coming off a 15-touchdown season.
Ahead of the WR No. 3 equation, the Steelers have DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., while the Ravens have Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Both teams would have wanted this equation solved by now, but sometimes players don’t develop on your schedule.
The Steelers and Ravens got similar production out of their veteran No. 3 WR candidates in their second seasons. Roman Wilson played 253 offensive snaps, catching 12 passes for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns. Devontez Walker only played 163 (and another 168 on special teams). However, while he only caught 6 passes for 136 yards, he scored three times.
Walker timed slightly faster than Wilson, by .03 seconds, in the 40-yard dash, 4.36 to 4.39. Both are capable of stretching the field, but Walker may be the bigger threat. The Ravens’ rookie WR candidates bring a different still set, both timing in the high 4.4s or low 4.5s. That also describes the Steelers’ Germie Bernard, who ran a 4.48.
One area where the Steelers’ competition for WR No. 3 differs from the Ravens is the fact that their rookie comes into the league likely more polished and ready to contribute right away. Bernard is generally regarded as a professional and a technician. Lane is talented, but is more of a developmental prospect.
In recent years, the Ravens haven’t made much use of a third receiver, and frankly, neither have the Steelers. But with new coaching staffs in both cases, that figures to change. The question is, do they have the personnel to justify the workload at that position?
In the Steelers’ case, they have a pair of tight ends to fall back on. While the Ravens still have Mark Andrews, they lost Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, and Patrick Ricard. Of course, they also have Derrick Henry at running back. In that regard, it’s hard to handicap, between the Steelers and the Ravens, who has more at stake in their battle for the No. 3 WR.
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