The Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves at the center of the offseason wide receiver frenzy, with rumors swirling about nearly every available player. The buzz kicked off when the Steelers made the unexpected move to trade away their star wideout, Diontae Johnson, early in the offseason.
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Steelers' Diontae Johnson running with the ball against the Ravens in Week 18.
Amid a flurry of trade speculation, names like Brandon Aiyuk, DK Metcalf, and even Justin Jefferson have been thrown into the mix. While some of these rumors have faded away, others have gained considerable traction. The Jefferson one was easily the most wild rumor of the offseason.
Former Steelers defensive back Bryant McFadden added to the speculation by teasing something brewing with Omar Khan on social media. Despite the anticipation among Steelers fans, Steeler Nation received confirmation that it wasn't related to a cornerback only fueling speculation about the wide receiver position. However, as time passes, the likelihood of any significant developments seems to diminish.
The recent release of former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones led some to consider him as a potential target for the Steelers. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo poured cold water on this idea, indicating on Tuesday that acquiring Jones wouldn't address the Steelers' needs.
“I think they have enough Zay Jones types in Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins. Jones has never had a 1,000-yard season and his best career output is 823 yards. They need a legit No. 2.”
Fittipaldo raises a valid point regarding Jones' career trajectory. At 29 years old, he's had ample time in the NFL to leave a significant mark. Despite his tenure spanning eight seasons, Jones has yet to achieve a 1,000-yard receiving season.
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Former Jacksonville wide receiver Zay Jones gets ready to catch a football.
Originally drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Jones struggled to find his footing. After brief stints with the Las Vegas Raiders, he eventually landed with the Jaguars.
In 2022, Jones showed promise with an impressive season, recording 82 catches for 823 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, his momentum was hindered in 2023 by injuries, limiting him to just nine games, where he managed 34 catches for 321 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
For Fittipaldo, acquiring someone like Jones resembles the addition of players such as Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson. While the Steelers are in dire need of a bona fide wide receiver number two, Fittipaldo doesn't see Jones fitting that bill. He believes that getting Jones would be no different than the two wide receivers they already acquired.
Steelers’ Roman Wilson Likely To Have Big Role As A Rookie
The Steelers made a much needed splash in the draft by selecting Roman Wilson in the third round, sparking excitement among fans who were eager to address the team's pressing need at wide receiver. With high hopes pinned on him, Wilson is seen as a vital addition to complement George Pickens.
AP Photo
Steelers' Roman Wilson makes a catch during his college days at Michigan.
While many Steelers fans are excited about Wilson, putting a ton of faith in a third round wide receiver is a risky situation. The Steelers would feel much more comfortable heading into the 2024 season with a true wide receiver two on their roster. Someone who has had experience in the league and is a reliable target. That's not a knock on Wilson, many believe he was a steal for the Steelers. It just may take him some time to adjust to the NFL game.
However, if rumors of the Steelers pursuing a trade for another wide receiver prove true, Wilson's role will hold less weight. Yet, in the current scenario, there's a strong possibility that Wilson could step into the role of a primary wide receiver two as a rookie. The Steelers will heavily depend on him if they fail to secure a proven wide receiver two through trade or in the market.
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