Steelers Fans Will Find Out Exactly Who Wide Receiver 2 Is Against Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room has been a major concern throughout the offseason, starting with the surprising decision to trade away star receiver Diontae Johnson. This move left many questioning the depth and reliability of the receiving corps. The Steelers were reportedly close to acquiring Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers, a move that would have bolstered the group, but ultimately, Aiyuk stayed in San Francisco, leaving the Steelers without a clear wide receiver two.

While George Pickens has stepped up as the team's top target, concerns about who will fill the WR2 role persist. Pickens, now the focal point of the passing attack, showcased his star power in the Steelers' Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He hauled in six catches for 85 yards, coming up big when the Steelers needed it most. His ability to deliver in key moments was on full display, cementing his place as a go-to playmaker.

However, beyond Pickens, production was scarce. Only two other true receivers made a catch: Calvin Austin III with one catch for seven yards, and Van Jefferson with one catch for one yard. This lack of involvement highlights the ongoing uncertainty in the receiver room. As the Steelers prepare to face the Denver Broncos in Week 2, Pickens is set for a tough matchup against one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, Pat Surtain II. Without significant contributions from the rest of the receiver group, Pickens may face an uphill battle against Denver’s defense.

The Steelers haven't done Pickens many favors. There's immense pressure on him to rack up 100-plus receiving yards each game just to keep the offense moving. While they didn’t pass much against the Falcons, when they do, Pickens faces a tough challenge in Surtain. With few real threats behind Pickens in the receiving corps, it’s likely Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph will have Surtain shadow him across the field.

In Week 1, Joseph had Surtain cover Seattle Seahawks' DK Metcalf exclusively. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Surtain was matched up on 24 of Metcalf’s 25 routes, holding him to just three catches for 29 yards.

If Surtain shadows Pickens and limits him in a similar way, the Steelers will need to get other wide receivers involved to generate offense.

Although the Steelers didn’t pass much, tight end Pat Freiermuth was their second-leading receiver with four catches for 27 yards. Jaylen Warren added two receptions for 13 yards despite not being fully healthy, while MyCole Pruitt and Najee Harris each contributed one catch for nine yards.

Adding more concern to the wide receiver situation, all of those players outperformed whoever the Steelers' WR2 is. Jefferson, expected to fill that role, had a disappointing game against the Falcons. However, he could be in for a breakout performance against the Broncos. 

Austin is another wide receiver who could have a big game against Denver. As a wide receiver with untapped potential, this could be a key opportunity for him to build momentum in his career.

Steelers Get Some Good News At Wide Receiver

The good news for the Steelers is that rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson is getting healthier. During his Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin said he expects increased participation from Wilson in practice, which could be significant heading into this matchup. Wilson has been dealing with an ankle injury but getting him back would be a big win for the offense.

With Pickens likely to be shadowed all game by one of the league's top corners in Surtain, who has a track record of shutting down WR1s, the Steelers will need another receiver to step up. After the Broncos game, Steelers fans might finally get a clearer picture of who the true WR2 is. 

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