The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room was one of the team’s biggest concerns heading into the 2024 season. George Pickens is clearly the standout star, but questions have surrounded whether he has the mental maturity to truly step up as a bona fide wide receiver one at this stage of his career. While it's a fair question at times, Pickens' on-field production should outweigh the frustrations some fans have expressed about the star wide receiver.
Behind Pickens, the depth was a major issue, with Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and eventually Mike Williams rounding out the group. In 2024, the Steelers’ wide receiver room ranked among the least intimidating in the NFL. This became even more evident when Pickens' hamstring injury sidelined him for three games.
Now, the Steelers are focused on finding a legitimate wide receiver two to complement Pickens. The potential additions in free agency and via trade have generated plenty of excitement among fans, but it remains unclear who the team will bring in. In a recent article, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell linked two veteran wide receivers to Pittsburgh, suggesting they could be key pieces for the Steelers in 2025. The two veteran wide receivers Podell named were Darius Slayton and Keenan Allen.
"A return to the Chargers to be the adult in the youthful receivers room with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston could make sense," Podell wrote. "Ditto for the Steelers, Broncos and Giants. With the Rams, Allen could be a bigger slot weapon in Sean McVay's offense with Cooper Kupp seemingly on his way out."
Podell believes the Steelers are one of the few teams that should and would be interested in the soon-to-be 33-year-old wide receiver.
With a market value of $11.1 million, Allen's strong production in 2024 suggests he could still be worth the investment, even at this stage in his career. Podell also made a compelling case for Slayton.
"Darius Slayton's stats need to be graded on a curve given his New York Giants career has involved the final season of quarterback Eli Manning's career and the entire Daniel Jones era," Podell said. "However, with a career yards-per-catch-average of 15.0, that's indicative that Slayton can be useful by separating downfield. Slayton could be a steady, veteran presence with some big-play ability for a contender or a team trying to grow into one."
Podell also mentioned Slayton, who was linked to the Steelers as a potential trade target during the 2024 NFL season. Slayton is an intriguing free agent with a market value of $15.8 million—a steep price for a receiver of his caliber in the eyes of many. However, Podell argues that Slayton's numbers deserve a deeper look, considering he played in the midst of the Giants' organizational struggles.
In 2024, Slayton recorded 39 catches for 573 yards and two touchdowns, while Allen posted 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. On the surface, Allen appears to be the more appealing option, but age is a factor—Allen is approaching 33, while Slayton recently turned 28. Despite Slayton’s upside, his market value is $4 million higher than Allen’s, which may influence the Steelers’ decision.
Steelers Will Upgrade Their Wide Receiver Room Before The 2025 Season
The wide receiver market is intriguing, with other options like DeAndre Hopkins also available. Hopkins is in a similar stage of his career as Allen but comes with a higher market value of $15.2 million despite less production. Hopkins had 56 catches for 610 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. While market value is only an estimate, it serves as a helpful indicator of what teams might expect to pay.
As the offseason unfolds, the Steelers are expected to remain linked to free agents, trade rumors, and top wide receiver prospects in the NFL Draft. While it's uncertain which path they’ll take, one thing is clear—they’re determined to upgrade their wide receiver room before the 2025 season.
