For nearly a month, Pittsburgh Steelers supporters have been waiting to find out who will be the team’s next wide receiver 2.
When the team dealt Diontae Johnson to the Panthers on March 12, they found themselves with a significant need at the position.
So far, they have yet to find a successor, but it appears that we may not have to wait until draft day to acquire that individual.
On the April 9 episode of the “In the Huddle” podcast, Audacy’s Jason La Canfora stated that the Steelers are “really trying to make something happen” at wide receiver.
“For me, there’s one piece of information we don’t know yet: do they trade for a wide receiver before the draft?” It would not surprise me if they did it tomorrow or on Wednesday before the draft. If they did it while on the clock, or in the lead-up to the draft on Thursday, I know they’re genuinely trying to make something happen there.”
A Big Gap on the Depth Chart at Wide Receiver
Things looked pretty good at wide receiver for the Steelers entering the offseason.
George Pickens had established himself as a true WR1 by racking up 1140 yards in 2023.
Johnson was a strong option at WR2, having made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 after a 1000-yard season of his
own.
All the squad needed was a new WR3, as Allen Robinson struggled in 2023, with only 34 catches for 280 yards before being released this offseason.
Now that Johnson and Robinson are no longer on the roster, there is a significant gap between Pickens and the remainder of the depth chart. No other receiver on the roster surpassed 250 yards last season.
That obviously leaves the team wanting to acquire a WR2 before the start of the season, and it may not even be a terrible idea to get somebody at WR3.
Potential Options for the Steelers
If the Steelers want to get something big done at receiver before the draft, it seems like there is really only one options for them.
Brandon Aiyuk is the biggest name that has come up as a trade possibility this offseason and he is the most realistic option if the Steelers are looking to make a big move at the position.
Aiyuk is currently in the final year of his rookie deal and is projected to receive a large payoff on his second contract. Meanwhile, the 49ers have very limited cap space to work with.
In fact, Spotrac predicts they will be $30 million over the cap in 2025, even without Aiyuk on their books. It also does not include the contracts for the rookies they plan to choose in 2024.
There has even been a price quoted for an Aiyuk trade. According to Mia O’Brien of 1010XL, the 49ers wanted the Jaguars’ first-round pick as well as Zay Jones in exchange for Aiyuk.
He would be a significant acquisition to the Steelers after racking up 1342 yards in 2023.
There have been no clear reports of any other major players at the position that the Steelers might make a run for.
Courtland Sutton has been the subject of numerous trade rumours in the past, but it seemed doubtful that the Broncos would sell him after sending Jerry Jeudy to the Browns. If he becomes available, Sutton could be a strong fit for the Steelers, having cleared 700 yards in five of his previous six seasons.
Tee Higgins demanded a trade after being franchise tagged this summer, but the Bengals’ chances of moving him within the AFC North are slim.
If they want to draft a WR2 and then trade for a WR3, they may see what the Texans want for Robert Woods or John Metchie now that they have Stefon Diggs.
Woods had 40 catches for 426 yards last season, but is now most likely the Texans’ WR5. Metchie was a second-round pick in 2022, but he has only played 310 snaps in two years. He’s also buried on the depth chart.
Perhaps the Steelers are considering a less obvious choice at wide receiver, but that doesn’t
