Steelers Are "Better Off Playing It Cheap" By Adding Odell Beckham Jr To 2024 Wide Receiver Room

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of the most exciting offseason in franchise history. Omar Khan has forced the organization into the 21st century with his approach to roster building. It could be argued that this was necessary after Kevin Colbert missed draft pick after draft pick for the last seven seasons of his tenure. Khan got rid of the entire 2023 quarterback room and signed Russell Wilson to a veteran minimum contract, as well as traded for Justin Fields for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. 

Khan didn't stop at the quarterback room. He declined to hold Diontae Johnson as a hostage and shipped him to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson. The wide receiver room now includes George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, and Van Jefferson. Pittsburgh is going to import another wide receiver and are currently linked to trade rumors for Brandon Aiyuk, Stefon Diggs, and Justin Jefferson. 

On Wednesday, Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller to discuss the franchise's current state. Florio told Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller that they would do well to remember that the cap space created by paying their top two quarterbacks less than $5 million total in 2024 might not necessarily lead to current top-10 NFL wide receivers relocating to Western Pennsylvania and donning the black and gold. 

"It's easy to say we have got a big cost savings with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, so we can go out and spend like drunken sailors on Brandon Aiyuk or whoever," Florio said. "You got to balance that against there are some other guys on the team with some pretty big cap numbers. The Steelers have proven they have got the secret sauce when it comes to scouting, drafting, and developing young wide receivers."

Florio suggested an alternate route for the Steelers through the April draft and the remaining wide receivers in free agency. The remaining market consists of veterans like Michael Thomas from the New Orleans Saints and Tyler Boyd from the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pro Football Talk founder threw out another veteran name that still draws significant attention on social media: Odell Beckham Jr., who spent 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens.

"This is one of the great unknowns for the receiver market generally," Florio continued. "How many receivers really merit top of the market? I think it is just a handful of guys. A small handful. I think the Steelers are better off just playing it cheap. Playing it safe, see what's in the draft. I'm intrigued by OBJ. He's available. He is not going to get the $15 million he got last year, and he had some moments last year in Baltimore. I think as free agency gets deeper, some of these veteran guys are going to be cheaper to get. You couple that with a draft pick or two. I think you got what you need."

Steelers' Ability To Identify Wide Receiver Talent In The Draft Will Be Tested In 2024

The Steelers have drafted only two wide receivers in the first round this century; Plaxico Burress in 2000 and Santonio Holmes in 2006. Colbert was especially good at finding wide receiver talent later in the draft. Khan and Andy Weidl's first attempt at selecting a receiver will probably be in 2024. It would be a big ask for a rookie to step in as the number two wide receiver, but it is becoming increasingly common in the NFL. Jordan Addison and Rashee Rice pulled it off quite nicely in 2023.

Pittsburgh urgently needs to address the offensive line. Khan will have to carefully balance his strategy with the remaining free agents and the 2024 draft class. If his tenure as general manager has proven anything, he is definitely the right man for the job. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you agree with Florio about finding a cheap option in free agency and gambling on a rookie? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq. 

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