NFL insider expects Pittsburgh Steelers to trade for another wide receiver, names expected WR2

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback battle to settle, which is grabbing all the headlines, but they also have a mystery to solve when it comes to their wide receiver rotation.

George Pickens is the obvious ace in the room after putting up 1,140 yards in 2023. But elsewhere, there are few established contributors and a lot of new faces. Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson are both gone, and Memphis’s Calvin Austin III is the second-leading true receiver.

So, the Steelers went out and got some cheap veteran talent, like Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson, who came from Atlanta with new Steeler offensive coordinator and former ATL coach Arthur Smith. Meanwhile, guys like Quez Watkins and Marquez Callaway can be counted on when needed. Of course, they also drafted Michigan’s Roman Wilson, who could be in the mix.

But it’s not a very exciting group behind Pickens, is it? That’s why ESPN’s Dan Graziano says Pittsburgh is still very much actively in the market for a second major threat out wide.

“I expect the Steelers to add a wide receiver if one becomes available in a trade as the preseason unfolds,” Graziano wrote as part of his and Jeremy Fowler’s preseason training camp tour.

With a trade unlikely in the coming weeks, according to Graziano, that means more chances for Jefferson, Austin, Wilson and the rest.

“But as of now, nothing on that front seems imminent, which means opportunity for the guys who are in camp to audition for the No. 2 wide receiver spot behind George Pickens.”

Graziano named some of those receivers as potential No. 2 options if a trade doesn’t come to fruition.

“Veteran Van Jefferson (who played for OC Arthur Smith in Atlanta last year) is one to keep an eye on, based on the conversations I had while I was there, and Calvin Austin III is another guy for whom the Steelers have high hopes. Rookie Roman Wilson has a chance to occupy the slot receiver role”

The Steelers have plenty of depth at the wide receiver spot, and options if they want to host an all-out race for the other starting receiver spots. But they don’t have star power behind their bell cow in Pickens, which could change if an appetizing trade opportunity shows up.

Jefferson is certainly the most proven of the bunch, having hit the 200-yard mark in all four of his NFL seasons, even getting over 800 in his second season as an LA Ram the year they won the Super Bowl, 2021.