Re-evaluation: Steelers WRs marginal, not spectacular in 2024
Steel City Underground presents a post-2024 NFL season re-evaluation of each positional group on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster in this series, highlighting the standout player or players among each group.
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the season with a bevy of options at wide receiver. They had a mix of familiar players and free agent additions that provided excellent depth. Unfortunately, the mix produced marginal, not spectacular, results last season for a number of reasons. We re-evaluate those players and their production on offense.
Wide Receivers: George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson
The “starters”
The primary receivers that got the nod to start the majority of games for the Steelers were Pickens, Austin, and Jefferson. With Pickens and Austin the only Steelers returners due to the trade of Diontae Johnson. Jefferson was a free agent addition brought in to provide big-play potential opposite Pickens.
Of the three, Pickens led the team in several offensive statistics but showed he was less of a leader personality wise. Highly talented, Pickens had trouble controlling his emotions despite his 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. He ranked sixth among all NFL receivers with a minimum of 50 receptions, but drew penalties that hurt the team. For a player that posted 15.3 yards per catch, Pickens could have settled in for a 1,000 yard plus season had he dealt with frustration over the performance of the offense in a more mature manner.
Of the starting receivers, Austin arguably had the best overall performance in 2024. Despite his 5-foot-9 height, Austin showcased his athleticism and speed in his third season by grabbing 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. Perhaps unexpectedly, he averaged 15.2 yards per catch and showed that he, too, could make big plays. His ability to play in the middle of the field was often a recipe for success. Austin doubled up by ranking seventh in the league as a punt returner with a 10.3-yard average.
Very early, it was apparent that Jefferson was not “that guy” – the threat opposite Pickens – despite being a generally reliable receiver. Starter of 12 of 17 games, mainly as the offense waxed and waned and the coaching staff looked for a spark, Jefferson finished the season with just 24 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns.
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Disappointments and surprises
Due to injury issues, rookie Roman Wilson never truly contributed, but others stepped up in various roles at receiver.
Despite adding Williams to the roster – an attempt to create more splash – the veteran caught just nine passes for 132 yards and one touchdown in nine games. He didn’t show the downfield threat ability he had in previous BFL seasons and his biggest impacts were in games that Pickens was not a part of.
Miller, typically a slot receiver, rarely got opportunities, making just five receptions for 69 yards in 13 games.
The surprise was Skowronek who was added to replace Wilson in the receivers group. In ten games, Skowronek played with a bit more urgency to his game while securing five catches for 69 yards. As the Steelers’ top gunner on coverage team, Skowronek proved he was also a willing, tough blocker in the run game, marking him as the best depth player for the Steelers among the group they fielded in 2024.
Looking forward
The Steelers revamped their receivers group in 2024, but the personnel did not meet expectations. Jefferson has moved on to the Tennessee Titans, Williams back to the Los Angeles Chargers for 2025. The Steelers re-signed Miller to a one-year contract and hope to see Wilson on the field for them in the upcoming season. Skowronek, recently married, was given a two-year contract by the Steelers this spring.
The biggest news is that veteran D.K. Metcalf was signed during free agency and could be the big-bodied, playmaker the Steelers need opposite Pickens if the latter can stick with the team after the 2025 NFL Draft.
