The Pittsburgh Steelers had a relatively poor year offensively in 2022. The team could only muster 28 total touchdowns last year, ranking as the second-lowest scoring offense. To make matters worse, the team’s 12 passing touchdowns were the lowest amount for any NFL team. Despite having some turbulence throughout the year, mainly with quarterback switches, this is inexcusable for an NFL team. Pittsburgh ran the ball well but couldn’t ride passing streaks very well, averaging less than one touchdown per game through the air. The wide receivers are affected quite a bit, and as a result, the Steelers’ 2022 receivers experienced some tough times. This year, the position group has a few returning stars, but the team has also brought in a few other options for the 2023 season.
2023 Steelers Preview: Wide Receivers
The offense will have to take a big step forward in 2023 if they don’t want to be at the bottom of the league again. And it will have to start from the top and work its way down: the coaching staff, particularly coordinator Matt Canada, has to be better. The play calls last year seemed very repetitive and not very complex, but as Kenny Pickett grows hopefully the playbook can expand too. The other big thing to look forward to is the potential strides made by Pickett in year two. If he improves, the whole offense should also improve, and that includes the productivity of the wide receivers.
Position Overview
Currently, on the 90-man preseason roster, the Steelers have 13 rostered wide receivers. Obviously, they are not going to be able to keep all of these guys rostered and some of them may have to go to the practice squad. Nevertheless, there are 13 guys who all have a shot to crack the opening week roster. Usually, most teams only take 6-7 receivers on their 53-man roster, and the Steelers will probably continue to do so. With that being said, likely half of the receivers on this list will not be on the roster come the first game against San Francisco.
Locks For Week 1
There are three locks to make the Steelers’ roster, barring any injuries or setbacks. Those three are veteran receivers Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, and second-year star George Pickens. The trio could sneakily be one of the best groups in the league if the quarterback play improves.
Johnson is coming off of somewhat of a down year, as he didn’t score a touchdown at all last year. He did still lead the team with 86 receptions and 882 yards in 2022. But, that was certainly a drop-off from his 100+ catch, 1100+ yard, and eight-touchdown Pro Bowl season in 2021. George Pickens had a great rookie season, tallying 801 yards and four touchdowns in his first year. He made plenty of downfield catches and plenty of spectacular catches and flashes some true potential.
The final “lock” to make the roster as the likely WR3 is veteran Allen Robinson. Robinson is entering his tenth NFL season and has been rather productive, though injury-prone, throughout his entire career. He put up some great numbers with the Bears in 2019 and 2020, similar to Diontae Johnson’s recent 2021 season. Robinson also made the Pro Bowl in 2015 with the Jaguars when he compiled 1400 yards and 14 touchdowns. As long as he stays healthy, he will be a very nice addition to the team’s solid receiving core. Even though receiver wasn’t a team need this offseason, the addition was a pleasant surprise.
Near-Locks To Make The Roster
There are two others who are pretty likely to make the roster, and those two are Calvin Austin and Miles Boykin. Austin turned heads last year in training camp with his great speed and his playmaking ability, but was injured and deemed out for the season before playing in a regular season game. The team seems especially high on Austin and as long as he makes a full recovery, he should start the year as the WR4 on the team and could see plenty of opportunities in the slot.
The other near-lock to make the roster is Miles Boykin. Boykin made the team last year and did not have much effect on the team, but was re-signed for a couple million dollars this year. He could very well be cut in exchange for some other candidates at the position, but he knows the offense. He could see an increased role as the year goes on if things such as injuries arise.
Could Turn Heads, Make Roster Surprisingly
There are a few Steelers wide receivers who could make the roster but are not currently in the best six. Hakeem Butler, Gunner Olszewski, Cody White, and Anthony Miller are all vying for the final 1-2 roster receiving spots. Butler was a very productive receiver in this past XFL season with the St. Louis Battlehawks and he signed with Pittsburgh after a tryout. Olszewski signed last year but struggled early on with returns, and he had a minimal role at the end. And finally, both Cody White and Anthony Miller have been on the team for at least a year but have been injured or on the practice squad/reserves list. All four of these guys will be fighting in camp and the preseason. Unfortunately, there will only be a max of maybe two spots to take for these four guys.
Sorry, But Who?
And finally, to wrap up the list, are four guys who will almost certainly not make be Steelers wide receivers. Ja’Marcus Bradley, Dan Chisena, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Cody Chrest are all currently rostered. But, none of them are very experienced or very old and have little chance to make the team. I would assume maybe 1-2 of them could be placed on the practice squad but nothing more. At this point, these guys are just taking up spots so the Steelers can get to the 90-man number. A few will probably be cut just to save space and money, but a few could sneak their way onto the squad if they truly wow the coaching staff.
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