The Pittsburgh Steelers claimed former Baltimore Ravens' draft pick Miles Boykin off of waivers back in April prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. Prior to the draft, the Steelers were in need of adding to the wide receiver room in a bad way. Now that the draft has come and gone, in which the Steelers already added Boykin, and then drafted George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, the WR room looks set and ready to battle it out for roster spots.
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
The Steelers showed a lot of pre-draft interest in Boykin the same year the team selected WR Diontae Johnson. The team elected to then pass on Boykin for Johnson, a few years later.
Now the team has both in the same room.
Boykin sat down with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer, Brian Batko, on Thursday.
“It was crazy because I thought the Steelers were going to draft me originally, but when I got to Baltimore, it was like, ‘No, I hate Pittsburgh.’"
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It seems like Boykin knew the interest was there from the Steelers during the pre-draft process and conformed to the AFC North rivalry mentality that we all know and love when he put on a Ravens' uniform. I wouldn't expect anything less! Boykin then spoke about his departure from the Ravens' organization:
“I kind of knew about it since the end of the season. They kind of expressed that my hit on the salary cap was going to be detrimental to them,” Boykin said. “They're trying to work out deals with Lamar [Jackson] and other people … so I was kind of ready for it. I was prepared for it.”
He then discussed his struggles in the Ravens' offense the past few seasons:
“Crazy injuries,” Boykin admitted. “Had a hamstring I pretty much dealt with the whole season, a finger injury I dealt with the whole season, but now I’m healthy and I’m ready to go.”
Boykin comes to the black and gold with a chip on his shoulder and playing against his former team twice a year could just be additional motivation for the former member of the Fighting Irish.
Boykin on how he can help this Steelers' team:
“Just go out there and try to be a difference maker, whether it’s special teams or receiver,” is what the Steelers told Boykin, who added that he “loves” the OTA's process. “I’m just excited to get out there and get a chance to be a playmaker here.”
Boykin is coming to the Steel City with one single goal in mind:
“Ever since I’ve been in this league, I’ve felt like I have something to prove. But my only goal is to win a Super Bowl. That’s why I’m here.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Miles Boykin #80 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a reception over the defense of Troy Hill #22 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Boykin appeared in 40 games for the Ravens, starting in 24 of those. The receiver has caught 33 passes for 370 yards and 7 touchdowns in his career. Boykin has pretty stellar speed and hands, but one could argue that he hasn't really had a chance to showcase his talents in the offensive system ran by the Ravens. Maybe, a fresh start with the Steelers is exactly what Boykin needed to change his career trajectory.
Check out Boykin's highlights here!
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