The Pittsburgh Steelers need to revamp their wide receiver room. It’s a position the team simply hasn’t gotten enough production out of, and adding help for DK Metcalf should be a priority this offseason. The Steelers can attack the position through both free agency and the draft, and Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes the team’s “perfect” free agent signing is Seattle Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed.
“Right now, the offense is still built around Arthur Smith’s multiple tight end looks. Signing a speedster like Rashid Shaheed immediately forms the offense closer to what Mike McCarthy likes to work with. Shaheed proved to be a valuable complementary receiver in his nine-game run with Seattle and the playoffs. He could be paid like a No. 2 receiver in Pittsburgh.”
Shaheed’s coming off a season where he caught 59 passes for 687 yards and two touchdowns. He began the year with the New Orleans Saints but was traded to the Seahawks ahead of the deadline. He contributed as a receiver and a returner, taking back both a punt return and a kick return for a touchdown in the regular season, and he had another kick return touchdown in the playoffs. If he signs with the Steelers, it would address multiple needs for them.
Pittsburgh hasn’t had a dynamic return game for years, and adding Shaheed would give them one of the best return men in football. It would also give them another weapon across from Metcalf and someone who can stretch the field with his speed. While he can be used vertically, Shaheed’s speed also makes him a weapon underneath and on screen routes, which could be useful if Aaron Rodgers returns for another season at quarterback.
Even if the Steelers do sign a receiver like Shaheed, receiver should still be a priority for them early in the draft. Given their Combine meetings, it’s likely an area the Steelers will address early come April, though there’s still the unknown of how different the team’s process could be under Mike McCarthy.
Shaheed’s market should be strong given that he’ll only be 28 at the start of next season, has a skill set that many teams will value, and played a key role for the Super Bowl champs down the stretch. But if the Steelers are serious about making upgrades at receiver, Shaheed is a player that they’ll have interest in.