How much would a rookie wide receiver contribute for the Steelers this year if they draft one?<\/p>\n
Basically everybody expects the Steelers to draft a wide receiver, or multiple receivers, but how much would they play? Pittsburgh already has DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., both of whom should command targets. And if Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback again, well, he has a pretty clear preference for experienced players.<\/p>\n
While the Steelers\u2019 draft need for wide receiver is not in question, how much a rookie might contribute certainly is. Every year, there are typically only a relatively small handful\u2014perhaps two small handfuls\u2014of rookie wide receivers who make significant, meaningful contributions.<\/p>\n
Considering Pittsburgh had just one player record at least 500 receiving yards last year, though, the need is quite palpable. But would a rookie draft pick pass Roman Wilson on the Steelers\u2019 wide receiver depth chart so quickly? New HC Mike McCarthy seemed to think the third-year man would benefit from a fresh start in his offense. But I\u2019m sure every new head coach says that about every underachieving player on the roster when he takes over.<\/p>\n
The Steelers have gotten some good rookie seasons out of wide receiver draft picks in recent memory. George Pickens was the most recent, and Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool were encouraging, as well. So, too, were JuJu Smith-Schuster and, way back when, Mike Wallace. Of that list, all were Day 2 picks, with Johnson and Wallace third-rounders. But they all also had Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Well, all of them except Johnson (due to injury) and Pickens (due to retirement).<\/p>\n
Last year, Aaron Rodgers relied heavily on shallow, quick passes. It\u2019s unclear if or how McCarthy intends to alter that, assuming Rodgers even does return. And how that might impact a rookie wide receiver, frankly, depends on which one the Steelers draft. Because it\u2019s hardly a question of if. There are, rather, two questions: when, and how many? Two is very possible, and even three isn\u2019t out of the question. But drafting them doesn\u2019t guarantee a strong immediate return on investment.<\/p>\n
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses<\/a>, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.<\/p>\n