With Training Camp about four weeks away it’s time to start looking at some of the key battles that will take place. I’m starting with what is clearly the most obvious for both the media and the fans – #2 wide receiver.
I fully believe the Steelers are efforting to find a trade partner in order to bring in a guy because what they have right now doesn’t appear to be cutting it. That said, they have to find someone currently on the roster in case a legitimate move can’t be made. I’ve seen where some believe this isn’t that big of a deal – that between George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and Roman Wilson, they can provide enough for the Steelers’ offense.
That’s a huge ask. Pickens’ maturity is still in question yet now he’s supposed to handle being the number one guy. Wilson is a rookie who has looked good in OTAs but he’s unproven. And ‘Muth is possibly another concussion away from being done with football. So no, I don’t agree that this isn’t a huge deal. Someone has to step up.
Van Jefferson – The question isn’t whether Jefferson can do it, it’s whether he can do it consistently. In four seasons in the NFL – mostly with the LA Rams – Jefferson has averaged around 33 receptions per season. His second season in 2021 saw him grab 50 balls and score six touchdowns. The capability therefore is there for him to be a quality number two receiver. The Steelers also like Jefferson’s blocking ability which becomes even more important in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy system.
Roman Wilson – The rookie from Michigan is lightning in a bottle but during his four seasons for the Wolverines he never recorded more than 48 receptions. To be fair, he was in another run-heavy offense under Jim Harbaugh so his chances were limited. However, over 70% of Wilson’s receptions came from the slot WR position. The good news is that the Steelers are desperate for production from there but the bad news is that at his size, 5’11” 185lbs, he likely isn’t a true number two candidate.
Quez Watkins – The fifth-year receiver who spent his first four seasons in Philly has averaged 24.5 receptions during his career. His high is 43 in year two. Watkins, known as “Fast Batman,” relies heavily on speed and quickness but he also lacks one thing a number two WR really needs – the ability to go over the middle and make tough catches in traffic. This isn’t to say he can’t do that but his history indicates it’s been a struggle at times and he’s the same size as Roman Wilson.
Calvin Austin III – After missing his entire rookie campaign with an injury, he saw 30 targets and 17 receptions for one score in 2023. We can get into the entire “poor quarterback play” thing but that is what it is. Austin’s speed is undeniable but his size is nowhere near necessary to be a number two WR. He’s all of 5’9″ 160lbs and there’s no way he can be relied on for that task.
Other guys in the Mix – Marquez Calloway, Jacob Copeland, Dez Fitzpatrick, Jaray Jenkins, Scotty Miller, Deuce Watts
I never say “never” but the chances that any of these guys find themselves the starting number two WR on opening day are slim. We’ve seen guys in past training camps like Justin Brown look like they were shoo-ins to be stars during the season turn out to be anything but.
Ultimately Omar Khan will find someone to man this spot on the offense. Mike Tomlin and WR Coach Zach Azzanni can say over and over that “we move guys around” and “there’s no one or two receiver” all they’d like but they know what they need and Khan will get it done. Until that moment, let’s go with Jefferson to man the position.
