While the Pittsburgh Steelers are now enjoying their summer prior to Training Camp, we’re going to spend some time previewing the positions. From the locks to the guys who are just ‘camp bodies’ we’ll take a look at all of the guys competing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Wide Receivers
On the Roster: D.K. Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Jr, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, A.T. Perry, Cole Burgess, Brandon Smith, Kaden Wetjen, Joaquin Davis, Eli Heidenreich
What We Know: Let’s pencil in Metcalf, Pittman, Jr and the rookie Bernard. I feel confident about Skowronek simply because he’s one of the best Special Teamers in the NFL but with a new staff you just never know. Wilson is also a wild-card in my opinion for the same reason. Wetjen will be listed as a wide receiver but his role will primarily be as a return man.
What We Don’t Know: I’ll say this so many times through these previews that I’ll get as tired of saying it as you will of reading it but… With a new coaching staff, it’s difficult to know what approach they’ll take. How they feel about Roman Wilson really isn’t known. Of course they say all of the right things but we don’t really know. Davis is an intriguing prospect who spent time with Denver and Minnesota last year as a rookie but never saw game action. He has incredible size and wicked speed but his route running and strength need significant improvements. Much like I stated in the Running Backs preview, Heidenreich is a complete wild-card. He’s the only guy listed as a ‘RB/WR’ so whether that plays in his favor or not isn’t known.
How It Shakes Out: You already know the top three and I feel confident enough about Skowronek to add him in here too so that’s four. McCarthy’s history suggests he keeps six on the roster but typically will dress just five on gamedays. Something else to consider here is something that McCarthy said recently. He was asked about receivers playing specific spots and he quickly responded that this type of thinking in the NFL is largely gone. He went on to say that receivers in today’s game have to know all three spots. That’s important because any guy that struggles with this will be putting himself behind the eight ball.
Wetjen is likely the fifth guy here because he will handle both kick and punt return duties. That leaves one spot. Wilson has had an excellent Spring but we’ve heard that before about him haven’t we? Call me impulsive but give the sixth spot to Heidenreich to start the season. Whether or not he hangs on to the spot I don’t know but there’s just something concerning with Wilson. The most important thing to keep in mind with all of this is Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is going to make clear to McCarthy who he is comfortable with week to week so that plays an important role. There was little question that Rodgers ran out of patience with Wilson. If he regains Rodgers’ trust that could also be a factor as well.
