The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a conundrum as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches.
People want to know what the Steelers will do at wide receiver. Do they bring in a proven wide receiver to be No. 2 to George Pickens or do they use an early pick to select one in the draft?
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggested the Steelers are still looking for a proven wideout after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last month. Johnson caught 51 passes on 87 targets for 717 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
Though the Steelers have not brought in a proven wide receiver at this point to replace Johnson, it is not from a lack of trying. Last month, Dulac told Rich Eisen Pittsburgh was not done wowing fans and media alike this off-season. They were shopping for a big-name wide receiver, and it was not necessarily Mike Williams, who eventually signed with the New York Jets.
According to Dulac, the Steelers were in contact with the Buffalo Bills in regard to trading for Stefon Diggs. However, Diggs ended up being traded to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick.
The Steelers also flirted with the idea of trading for San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to multiple reports. However, nothing ever came about from those reports, and the 49ers have since said they are going to make sure they keep Aiyuk in San Francisco.
Though he was never considered a No. 2 guy, the Steelers were hopeful that former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd would take their offer, reportedly two years for $10 million, as a possible slot receiver. Boyd rejected Pittsburgh’s offer and is still a free agent.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said there is still a chance the Steelers could sign Boyd, but if it happens, it will likely come after the draft.
“It’s a situation where he’s probably going to wait until after the draft and it will be that May 2 option for a team that doesn’t fill their need in the draft,” Fowler said on NFL Live. “He is a Pittsburgh kid that grew up there, the Steelers have a need. They haven’t made a hard offer, maybe they’ll do that.”
Pittsburgh ultimately did sign veterans Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson in free agency, but they’ll primarily be used as role players.
What’s next?
Do the Steelers try to make a splash and trade for a top-notch receiver? It’s unlikely.
With the draft so close, it’s more likely the Steelers take their chances and use one of their first two picks on a wide receiver.
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