This is the third in a series reviewing the Steelers' 2024 lineup by position. Today: Wide Receivers
Wide Receivers: George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson
The Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson last offseason in a move to acquire cornerback Donte Jackson and were reportedly in on a number of trade talks thereafter in an attempt to acquire another explosive player to line up opposite George Pickens for the remainder of the season.
It was part of a very big makeover of the wide receiver room, which saw only Pickens and fellow third-year player Calvin Austin III return from the 2023 team.
Eventually, they acquired veteran Mike Williams from the Jets at the NFL trade deadline, but even that move didn't dramatically change the trajectory of the team's passing attack.
It showed flashes of being good enough over the course of the season, but there also were down moments.
Pickens had a solid season, catching 59 passes for 900 yards with three touchdowns in 14 games. His 15.3 yards per catch average belies the kind of down-the-field threat he is, ranking sixth in the NFL among receivers who had at least 50 receptions.
He's among the most talented receivers in the NFL, but also makes some confounding mistakes on the field, such as drawing penalties for taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct in a Week 18 loss to the Bengals.
Pickens, who turns 24 in March, also allows his emotion to get the better of him at times, something head coach Mike Tomlin would like to see him gain better control.
"Certainly there's a lot of room for growth there," Tomlin said. "I think he covered some ground in 2024 but there's certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we'll see where it leads us."
The Steelers' offense certainly struggled in the games in which Pickens missed at the end of the season, but one of the bright spots beyond the play of Pickens was Austin.
The third-year wideout finished the season with 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 15.2 yards per catch and showing he could be a big-play contributor. Austin also served as the team's punt returner and ranked seventh in the NFL with a 10.3-yard average.
Even at a diminutive 5-foot-9 and listed 162 pounds, the speedy Austin showed he's not afraid to go over the middle of the field and make tough catches.
Veterans Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, Williams and Ben Skowronek were added either in the offseason or during the season and all played roles.
Jefferson started 12 of 17 games and finished the season with 24 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He did some of his best work as a blocker in the run game, but more is needed.
Williams caught nine passes for 132 yards and a touchdown in nine games as a member of the Steelers, showing off the downfield ability that made him one of the game's best deep threats earlier in his career. But he didn't necessarily make the impact the Steelers had hoped for, especially in the games in which Pickens was out.
Miller had five receptions for 69 yards in 13 games, though he is a slot-only receiver. Skowronek, signed when rookie Roman Wilson was placed on injured reserve early in the season, matched that number in the passing game.
But Skowronek also was the team's best gunner on punt coverage and is a hard-nosed blocker in the run game, showing plenty of value as a depth piece.
It was a tough rookie season for Wilson, who was injured early in training camp and then again after briefly returning during the season.
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As a result, the third-round draft pick out of Michigan played just five offensive snaps in his rookie season.
Austin had a similar rookie season three years ago, missing the entire year with a foot issue. So there is hope that Wilson can return in his second season and be a bigger part of the plan.
Williams, Jefferson, Skowronek and Miller all can become unrestricted free agents at the start of the new league year, meaning the Steelers could once again see a heavy makeover of this position.
