The Pittsburgh Steelers have been able to bring in two highly touted draft classes under General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl. They have focused on the needs of the team, and found the best value available at their selections. The organization has already seen major contributions from the 2023 draft class, and the same is expected in 2024. More rookies will eventually be starting in 2024, which makes for a few interesting training camp position battles.
Pittsburgh is expected to see major contributions, mainly on offense, from the 2024 rookie class. Zach Frazier is the only legitimate center on the roster, and with a good performance at training camp, he should lock up the starting spot. Troy Fautanu will be fighting to become the starting right tackle, as Broderick Jones has switched back to his natural position on the left side. Roman Wilson will also be competing for playing time at receiver. Insider Brian Batko recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan, and he discussed the rookie with the most pressure on them going into training camp.
"I think Troy Fautanu is gonna have the most pressure on him because of being in a position battle, and just the inherent eyes on you that comes with being the first-rounder. But for me, l'd probably go Roman Wilson. People watching in the stands at Saint Vincent College, or even us media on the sideline, it's not like we're sitting there filming. It's difficult to really gauge how Troy Fautanu or Zach Frazier are playing snap in and snap out. That's why l'll be all eyes on Roman Wilson even more so than the other rookies. He's also the guy that you can argue they need to step up most in Year 1."
Frazier has the easiest path towards becoming a starter, as his only competition is Nate Herbig, who has very limited experience at center. Fautanu will need to beat out Dan Moore Jr. for the starting right tackle spot, which Moore has publicly stated he is uncomfortable playing at. Meanwhile, the only spot that is locked up in the receiver room is the number one, which is obviously George Pickens. Wilson will be battling with Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, and Marquez Callaway.
Wide receiver is currently the Steelers' weakest position group. Trading away Diontae Johnson left a lot of questions at the position. Aside from Pickens, no one really knows what kind of production fans should expect from that part of the Steelers' offense. As of now, the three receivers fans should expect to see on the field the most seem to be Pickens, Jefferson, and Wilson.
Pittsburgh's coaching staff likely wants to see what their current unit at the position looks like during training camp, but should probably look to make an external move. It doesn't need to be a huge splash move like trading for Brandon Aiyuk, but bringing in a reliable veteran seems like a necessity.
The hopes are high for Wilson, but if there is a way to avoid rushing him onto the field, Pittsburgh should take it.
Steelers' Roman Wilson Puts The Team First
Wilson's career so far in Pittsburgh has been successful. He has said all the right things to make him a fan favorite going into the 2024 season. He has spoken about how important blocking is to his game, which reminds many of the great Hines Ward. Wilson comes from a run-heavy offense at Michigan, which is what is to be expected from Pittsburgh under Arthur Smith.
If the organization decides not to bring in any outside help at the receiver position, then that will say a lot about how they feel about Wilson going into his rookie year. If they feel he can contribute and be a reliable offensive weapon, there might not be a need to make any drastic moves offensively. Only time will tell, but all eyes will be on Wilson once the team reports to Latrobe.
