2023 Steelers WRs
So if there is one area that I don’t worry the steelers getting talent in, its WR… this season they have 14 guys at that position 8 weeks prior to camp… Here are the reasons why each of them could make the roster… I expect only six make it… injuries to one of the top guys could see 7 make it. In theory, if the second returner option is a RB like McFarland, they could only keep 5, but that is unlikely…
First off there are four locks…
Diontae Johnson---18-5-10-183-26-5—Toledo
- Sure he has focus issues, but those are correctable. He remains one of the best in the league at running routes and gaining separation. At this point cutting him would cost us over 3 million, so that aint happening,,, there are some cheaper trade options, but the reality is he is making the roster…
George Pickens------14-6-3--200-22-2—Georgia
-The latest big fast super-talented WR that has to put it all together. He fills the claypool role… who filled the Bryant role… Sweed, even back to Plaxico… The steelers always find these kinds of guys.
The potential is tantalizing IF they can get the technical aspects down… will Pickens? I damn sure hope so…. Barring injury, he is absolutely a lock to be on the squad
Allen Robinson II----11-6-2--220-29-10-Penn State
-They didn’t trade for this guy just to cut him and lose another 2 million dollars for doing so. He has topped 1,000 yards three times in his career… he also is the third most experienced player on the team.. the most experienced on O…. at 29 he is the second oldest offensive player on an extremely young offense. The team brought him in for that experience and mentorship. He is a lock as the 3rd wr
Calvin Austin III-----19-5-9--162-24-2—Memphis
Speed and quickness… that’s what this kid brings… he is small… maybe only 5’8 in real numbers, but his practice abilities get rave reviews… barring an injury, the kid will 100% be the 4th wr and likely top returner
Of the two remaining spots, here are the guys competing for those spots:
First the guys who were here last year
Anthony Miller------17-5-11-199-28-6—Memphis
-Miller basically was on his way to making the team last year before getting hurt. He is an experienced wr and returner who had a huge upside as a second round pick, but failed in Chicago because of work ethic… He improved that… if his shoulder is OK he probably has one of the best shots at the two remaining spots, especially since he can play the slot.
He makes this team if: The steelers are valuing his two prior years of experience in the system, his versatility, and his injury issues are behind him
Miles Boykin---------13-6-4--220-26-5--Notre Dame
6’4 with a 4.4 40 time is enticing, but this guy got a contract because of his excellent coverage as a returner.
He makes this team if: The Steelers prioritize one of the WR spots for special teams coverage, or if his enormous potential as a wr finally comes to fruit
Gunner Olszewski--89-6-1--190-26-5--Bemidji State
Gunner is a pure special teams ace. A converted DB, his Wr skills are pedestrian, so he only really adds value in both the return and coverage aspects of special teams
He makes this team if: The steelers don’t think CA3, Miller, Byrd, or any of the other wrs or Rbs or dbs can handle returner duties… I mean cutting him saves 2 million dollars… one of the best value cuts on the roster. Barring a string of injuries… he is probably gone
Cody White----------15-6-3--215-24-2--Michigan State
White is the son of the Steelers director of pro scouting Sheldon white… he is slower but surehanded and big and smart. That being said, in his very limited NFL plays, he has caught 5/6 passes he was targeted with…
He makes this team if: Its hard to see a path forward on the 53 without injuries… but he absolutely could be a vet practice squad add due to his experience in the system.
Ja'Marcus Bradley--84-6-1--198-26-2--Louisiana-Lafayette
Signed to the practice squad after the Browns cut him. He has the attributes of a solid nfl WR. Ran a 4.4 in his pro workout, is about 6’ and 200 lbs. he has good YAC ability
He makes this team if: The guy shows better productivity than the other options at 6th wr
Guys with previous NFL experience
Dan Chisena---------85-6-3--203-26-3--Penn State
6’3 with 4.32 speed…. Sounds enticing, but the guy was so good at wr that the Vikings tried to turn him into a safety….
He makes this team if: He beats out Boykin as a special teams gunner, and after 3 years he has learned how to play wr in the nfl enough to get by in a pinch… id bank on the former, even it’s a longshot
Hakeem Butler------21-6-5--227-27-2--Iowa State
Over 6’5 and runs a 4.4 40… another big fast refurb project… he rebuilt his rep in the XFL and probably has a great shot of sticking now… the guy is basically a te at wr… the knock on him is the drops…. If he can focus he should be in the mix
He makes this team if: Here is another guy who could knock boykin off the roster if he shows special teams abilities… also, while I expect they will split the final two spots between a big wr with coverage skills and a normal or small guy with returner skills, if they go extra large with both spots, he is a frontrunner… especially f he shows good blocking skills…
Dez Fitzpatrick-------82-6-2--208-25-2—Louisville
This guy is probably going to be a camp darling. He is a really good wr when it comes to catching the ball…. But he lacks physicality… wasn’t good at blocking, and didn’t come back for contested catches.
He makes this team if: He shows growth in those aforementioned areas…
Finally the rookies.
Cody Chrest----------25-6-1--200-25-R--Sam Houston State
-This guy has extremely high athletic ability. He needs to clean up his route running, but he has the chance to be a good slot type wr and has the speed (4.38) to play outside.
He makes this team if: His progress in route running and gaining separation takes a dramatic leap forward… he could be a PS option though.
Jordan Byrd----------16-5-9--170-23-R--San Diego State
-Byrd is a typical returner specialist. His speed is average. He definitely has the instincts though… however the scouting reports say that like many young returners he too often tries to make something out of nothing instead of just taking what he can and going down…
He makes this team if: Those returner skill prove to be super elite, or a rash of injuries at the returner spot
So if there is one area that I don’t worry the steelers getting talent in, its WR… this season they have 14 guys at that position 8 weeks prior to camp… Here are the reasons why each of them could make the roster… I expect only six make it… injuries to one of the top guys could see 7 make it. In theory, if the second returner option is a RB like McFarland, they could only keep 5, but that is unlikely…
First off there are four locks…
Diontae Johnson---18-5-10-183-26-5—Toledo
- Sure he has focus issues, but those are correctable. He remains one of the best in the league at running routes and gaining separation. At this point cutting him would cost us over 3 million, so that aint happening,,, there are some cheaper trade options, but the reality is he is making the roster…
George Pickens------14-6-3--200-22-2—Georgia
-The latest big fast super-talented WR that has to put it all together. He fills the claypool role… who filled the Bryant role… Sweed, even back to Plaxico… The steelers always find these kinds of guys.
The potential is tantalizing IF they can get the technical aspects down… will Pickens? I damn sure hope so…. Barring injury, he is absolutely a lock to be on the squad
Allen Robinson II----11-6-2--220-29-10-Penn State
-They didn’t trade for this guy just to cut him and lose another 2 million dollars for doing so. He has topped 1,000 yards three times in his career… he also is the third most experienced player on the team.. the most experienced on O…. at 29 he is the second oldest offensive player on an extremely young offense. The team brought him in for that experience and mentorship. He is a lock as the 3rd wr
Calvin Austin III-----19-5-9--162-24-2—Memphis
Speed and quickness… that’s what this kid brings… he is small… maybe only 5’8 in real numbers, but his practice abilities get rave reviews… barring an injury, the kid will 100% be the 4th wr and likely top returner
Of the two remaining spots, here are the guys competing for those spots:
First the guys who were here last year
Anthony Miller------17-5-11-199-28-6—Memphis
-Miller basically was on his way to making the team last year before getting hurt. He is an experienced wr and returner who had a huge upside as a second round pick, but failed in Chicago because of work ethic… He improved that… if his shoulder is OK he probably has one of the best shots at the two remaining spots, especially since he can play the slot.
He makes this team if: The steelers are valuing his two prior years of experience in the system, his versatility, and his injury issues are behind him
Miles Boykin---------13-6-4--220-26-5--Notre Dame
6’4 with a 4.4 40 time is enticing, but this guy got a contract because of his excellent coverage as a returner.
He makes this team if: The Steelers prioritize one of the WR spots for special teams coverage, or if his enormous potential as a wr finally comes to fruit
Gunner Olszewski--89-6-1--190-26-5--Bemidji State
Gunner is a pure special teams ace. A converted DB, his Wr skills are pedestrian, so he only really adds value in both the return and coverage aspects of special teams
He makes this team if: The steelers don’t think CA3, Miller, Byrd, or any of the other wrs or Rbs or dbs can handle returner duties… I mean cutting him saves 2 million dollars… one of the best value cuts on the roster. Barring a string of injuries… he is probably gone
Cody White----------15-6-3--215-24-2--Michigan State
White is the son of the Steelers director of pro scouting Sheldon white… he is slower but surehanded and big and smart. That being said, in his very limited NFL plays, he has caught 5/6 passes he was targeted with…
He makes this team if: Its hard to see a path forward on the 53 without injuries… but he absolutely could be a vet practice squad add due to his experience in the system.
Ja'Marcus Bradley--84-6-1--198-26-2--Louisiana-Lafayette
Signed to the practice squad after the Browns cut him. He has the attributes of a solid nfl WR. Ran a 4.4 in his pro workout, is about 6’ and 200 lbs. he has good YAC ability
He makes this team if: The guy shows better productivity than the other options at 6th wr
Guys with previous NFL experience
Dan Chisena---------85-6-3--203-26-3--Penn State
6’3 with 4.32 speed…. Sounds enticing, but the guy was so good at wr that the Vikings tried to turn him into a safety….
He makes this team if: He beats out Boykin as a special teams gunner, and after 3 years he has learned how to play wr in the nfl enough to get by in a pinch… id bank on the former, even it’s a longshot
Hakeem Butler------21-6-5--227-27-2--Iowa State
Over 6’5 and runs a 4.4 40… another big fast refurb project… he rebuilt his rep in the XFL and probably has a great shot of sticking now… the guy is basically a te at wr… the knock on him is the drops…. If he can focus he should be in the mix
He makes this team if: Here is another guy who could knock boykin off the roster if he shows special teams abilities… also, while I expect they will split the final two spots between a big wr with coverage skills and a normal or small guy with returner skills, if they go extra large with both spots, he is a frontrunner… especially f he shows good blocking skills…
Dez Fitzpatrick-------82-6-2--208-25-2—Louisville
This guy is probably going to be a camp darling. He is a really good wr when it comes to catching the ball…. But he lacks physicality… wasn’t good at blocking, and didn’t come back for contested catches.
He makes this team if: He shows growth in those aforementioned areas…
Finally the rookies.
Cody Chrest----------25-6-1--200-25-R--Sam Houston State
-This guy has extremely high athletic ability. He needs to clean up his route running, but he has the chance to be a good slot type wr and has the speed (4.38) to play outside.
He makes this team if: His progress in route running and gaining separation takes a dramatic leap forward… he could be a PS option though.
Jordan Byrd----------16-5-9--170-23-R--San Diego State
-Byrd is a typical returner specialist. His speed is average. He definitely has the instincts though… however the scouting reports say that like many young returners he too often tries to make something out of nothing instead of just taking what he can and going down…
He makes this team if: Those returner skill prove to be super elite, or a rash of injuries at the returner spot
