There was a time when the Pittsburgh Steelers had built a reputation for their ability to draft wide receivers and turn them into stars. That always felt a little hyperbolic and recent history has told a very different story.
Here are the last seven wide receivers selected by the Steelers in the NFL draft.
2024 – Roman Wilson
2022 – George Pickens
2022 – Calvin Austin III
2020 – Chase Claypool
2019 – Diontae Johnson
2018 – James Washington
2017 – JuJu Smith-Schuster
That list isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of the front office’s ability to scout and select receivers who can be productive, not cause problems and actually stick with the team.
Wide receiver is the team’s top roster need going into the offseason if you exclude the quarterback position that is still up in the air. The first instinct is for the Steelers to look to the draft once again for help.
But it might be wise if the Steelers look for a player who is more established, even if it means opening up their checkbook and paying big money to a guy like Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin.
