Steelers Rookie Roman Wilson Is Making A Strong Case To Be Starting Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting some players to step up and prove their ability in an attempt to find a quality receiver to replace Diontae Johnson. Someone like Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, or Calvin Austin III will have to help take some attention away from George Pickens in the passing game and make themselves known. Jefferson has been the next starting receiver for the Steelers during training camp as others have also rotated in, but there will be plenty of other opportunities for his teammates to continue to take that role away from him. 

Even though Jefferson is currently atop the receiver depth chart along with Pickens, Wilson has been making a strong case to be the other starting receiver in Week 1. While nothing is confirmed yet, Ray Fittipaldo talked about what the receiver room looks like after the first part of training camp while making an appearance on The North Shore Drive Podcast.

"[Wilson] has looked better and better every single day at camp, and I'll even say [he] has looked good as a rookie receiver in camp, and I think he's entered himself into the wide receiver-two conversation. Not saying that he's won the job, but I think that with the unsolidified situation that is the wide receiver-two, I think that he's now at least in play for that."

Wilson has been showing off his talents all throughout minicamps and training camp in his first offseason with the team. After dominating while running with the second-team offense, he got his chance to play with the first team as well. Rookies are usually wild cards for the team, and if Wilson can continue to develop, he should not have too much of a problem with stealing Jefferson's spot. 

Steelers Drafted Wilson To Fill Big Role On Team

Coming out of college, Wilson was seen as an all-around receiver with great speed and hands, especially for a guy that was on a run-first offense with the Michigan Wolverines. While the speed was described "alarming speed once he touches top gear," he was seen as more of a guy that could do a little bit of everything and do it all at a high level, as opposed to a player that relied on one major trait. 

Due to the run-first nature of Michigan's offense, Wilson is already used to having to help block in the running game. That will help give him a leg-up on Jefferson and/or Austin, as the Steelers will run a similar style of offense as the Wolverines did in 2023. Run blocking will be a key trait that the coaches will most likely look for when determining the depth chart, as well as their starting lineup each week. 

Wilson also has some versatility, so it's not like he will have to be glued to the wide receiver-two position all day every day. He can line up on the outside and in the slot, which can help get Jefferson and Austin some opportunities as well, depending on the situation of each game. Even though the Steelers will likely start two tight ends each week due to Arthur Smith's system, Wilson could make an impact each game, whether he's listed as a starter or not.

Preseason will also dictate the final depth chart a lot, as the Steelers have not seen what Wilson can do during an actual NFL game just yet. While he looks great against the first and second-team defense in camp, he has been training and working with them for months now. Everything changes when you line up against someone that's not on your team in a situation that actually matters, for one reason or another.

What do you think of Fittipaldo praising Wilson and talking about his ability to be a starter. Do you think Wilson can step up and be a starter and/or a major contributor to the offense in 2024? Let us know in the comments below.

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