The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun mandatory minicamp, using this time to evaluate the depth chart ahead of the ever approaching 2024 regular season. Though the belief is that the team still desires to make a blockbuster trade for a wide receiver, they feel as though they have done enough to create solid competition during the offseason.
Veteran options in Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, and Cordarrelle Patterson aren't flashy additions, but have proven they can play at the NFL level. Rookie Roman Wilson will also have heavy expectations and will be expected to contribute right away. This leads to several questions at wide receiver, but creates the opportunity for anyone to stand out and earn a starting job.
"Competition has been great. It's kind of what I mean when I say these guys are at different spots of their career. I know a lot gets made of the one, two, the three. Listen, this day and age, we move everyone around and guys get balls based on matchup. That number thing is a little overrated to me."
Competition has been a mantra of Head Coach Mike Tomlin since his hiring with the Steelers. It helps to bring out the best in each player, and create constant opportunity to earn snaps. On a team full of veteran receivers with experience being the number two, the question is can one stand out above the rest?
Plenty Of Pressure On The Steelers' Receiver Room
Since the trade of Diontae Johnson, the standard of who will be the clear cut guy at the top has seemingly changed. The focus for the Steelers has been geared towards acquiring players who don't need a ton of teaching in learning the system that new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith wants to run.
The Steelers could have moved up to select rookie receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, or sold the farm to acquire big name receivers on the trading block throughout the NFL, but they didn't and haven't. This should speak volumes to the confidence of those acquired by Pittsburgh this offseason, and how they are viewed by the coaching staff.
Despite all the change, the Steelers are putting themselves in prime position to utilize the unique skill set of the new room. Players like Miller and Watkins have great speed, and should excel in jet sweeps, motions, and creating mismatches offensively. Pickens and Calvin Austin, who have both been spoken highly of this offseason, can be deep ball threats and stretch the field, allowing the run game to be as dominant as it has been in years prior.
For some of these players, it will be an opportunity to establish themselves as top tier receivers that were buried on other team's depth charts throughout their career. Christian Kirk, who now is a star on the Jacksonville Jaguars, is a prime example of this. Stuck behind other receivers in Arizona, but once given the chance to thrive, made the most of it.
This chance to recreate yourself in the NFL doesn't come often, but when it does, it creates a dynamic that is hungry for growth and success. With all the storylines surrounding the Steelers this year, the wide receiver core has the opportunity to be the quietest, but most effective change for the team in 2024.
However, the boom has just as much opportunity to be a bust if not handled the right way. If Smith hopes to get an offense that has struggled to get off the ground going this season, and revitalize the careers of their quarterbacks who have just as much to prove, their wide receivers need to hit a second gear they have yet to show in their careers.
