With Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Diontae Johnson gaining more and more trade interest this week, the Steelers are open to any and all offers given. Moving Johnson would force the Steelers to pick up a new weapon that can tag along with fellow wide out, George Pickens. Here are some of your most favorable wide receivers that are on the free agency market that could be a good fit in the black and gold.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Free Agent Target Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (#83) gets excited after making a big play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1.) Tyler Boyd
Boyd has been the Cincinnati Bengals' number three and slot wide receiver behind Ja'marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the last three seasons, after being one of their most targeted receivers through his first five NFL campaigns. Boyd's contract with the Bengals expires once the new league year begins, and he may look for a bigger role elsewhere. As stated previously, Boyd has experience being a starter, as he was Cincinnati's top receiver for three consecutive seasons (2018-2020) before the arrival of Chase and Higgins.
Over the course of his eight-year career, Boyd averages 64 receptions (on 94 targets) and 750 yards per season. Those numbers have fluctuated depending on his spot on the depth chart, but as a number one or two, he has shown a lot of production. Boyd would be a solid addition to the Steelers' offense, especially in the slot, after the release of slot wide out Allen Robinson II.
Vikings Wire - USA Today
Steelers Possible Free Agent Target Wide Receiver KJ Osborn Diving Grab
2.) KJ Osborn
Osborn was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, and has been their number three guy as well. Being behind star wide receiver Justin Jefferson along with either Adam Thielen or most recently Jordan Addison, Osborn has started off his career putting up some similar numbers to Boyd. In his three seasons thus far, Osborn has caught for 158 passes, 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He's not your ideal number two wide receiver, but in the event that Johnson gets moved, and the Steelers have no other solutions, Osborn isn't a terrible replacement. He's shown signs of being ready to take on a bigger role as he has had a plentiful amount of big time games while others ahead of him on the depth chart are dealing with injuries. He wouldn't cost a whole lot either, so he could be a solid addition.
Bills Wire - USA Today
Steelers May Look At Bringing In Deep Ball Threat From Buffalo
3). Gabe Davis
A move on Davis would be more than splashy out of the Steelers, to say the least. The Buffalo Bills' former number two wideout has put up consistent numbers during the first four years of his career, but obviously Davis will cost a whole lot more than the other guys. He's not a guy that is going to rack up a whole lot of receptions, as Davis flourishes as a deep threat and touchdown scorer. Davis averages 16.7 yards per reception over his career, receiving 27 total touchdowns.
Davis is the type of player Pittsburgh's offense could use, as they have lacked yardage and touchdowns offensively over the past few seasons. The Steelers need to improve their passing game. However, Pittsburgh isn't a favorite to land Davis, as he's projected to earn around $13 million per year. The Steelers don't have a lot of cap space, and using a large amount of it on someone like Davis doesn't seem likely out of them.
Steelers Have Questions To Answer Regarding Diontae Johnson
Johnson is on the final year of his contract with the Steelers, and he will more than likely look for a bigger pay. With that, it's likely the star route runner will find a new place to play after 2024 anyway. The Steelers know this, so it's time to consider dealing him now while he's still under contract so they can get some capital in return. Johnson has shown a handful of times that he isn't a leader on this team, which is something that the Steelers front office can't be happy with. Unless Johnson's performance on and off the field both improves by such a drastic amount, his future is not with Pittsburgh.
What do you think? How would these guys fit in the Steelers' offense if Johnson gets traded? Let us know in the comments.
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