Unlike their quarterback tandem, the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver room had a solid 2023 season. Their top three wide receivers were George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, and Allen Robinson II. Pickens had 1,140 yards and five touchdowns, Johnson had 717 yards and five touchdowns, and Robinson had 280 yards.
For some reason, the Steelers decided to overhaul their receiving corps this offseason, parting ways with two staters. They traded Johnson to the Panthers and released Robinson. They replaced both players by drafting Roman Wilson and signing Quez Watkins, Scott Miller, and a Super Bowl champion.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a Super Bowl champion
The Steelers signed Van Jefferson to a one-year contract. Jefferson spent the first three and a half seasons with the Rams, winning a Super Bowl during the 2021 season. Unfortunately, he missed some time in 2022 because of two offseason knee surgeries. He then fell out of the rotation in 2023, which caused him to get traded to the Falcons before the NFL Trade Deadline.
He struggled to catch on with the Falcons for the second half of the season. He recorded 12 receptions on 28 targets for 101 yards and a disappointing 42.9% catching percentage and finished the season with 20 receptions on 43 targets for 209 yards and a 46.5% catching percentage.
The Steelers enter training camp with one starting spot locked in as George Pickens looks to hold down the left side. They have two starting vacancies, including the slot (Calvin Austin III vs. Roman Wilson) and the right side.
One player has taken the early lead.
Which wide receiver has taken the early lead?
Van Jefferson has taken the early lead and is in a position to start this season, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
“Jefferson was a free-agent signing and is in pole position to start the season as the No. 2. He showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams. But he hasn’t done much since then, which is concerning.”
He will compete against a receiver from the NFC East.
The former Philadelphia Eagles receiver will compete for the WR2 spot as well
Quez Watkins will also compete for the right side/WR2 job. Watkins, a former 6th-round pick, enters his fifth year in the league. Like Jefferson, has spent time as a WR2 in the league (2021) and has started 25 of 49 regular season games.
