Steelers Top Wide Receiver Options In Free Agency Now Very Thin

The Pittsburgh Steelers list of available wide receivers is beginning to dwindle after two players who were linked to potentially fit with the Steelers signed this past week. Odell Beckham Jr. signed with the Miami Dolphins and DJ Chark signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. With other free agents likely to make their decisions in the near future, the Steelers options will only become more limited.

The Steelers have been linked to several potential trade targets this offseason, but with final 53 man rosters set to take shape over the next few months, the team will likely look towards current free agents or potential cut candidates by the other 31 NFL teams. 

Michael Thomas 

The Steelers are looking for receivers with big play ability who can help take the double team off of George Pickens. Why not go for a player who currently holds the record for most receptions in a single season in NFL history. Thomas was allowed to hit free agency due to his lack of availability following his historic 2019 campaign. Since catching 149 passes in 2019, Thomas has combined for 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and a total of five touchdowns. 

Thomas also missed 47 total games, including the entire 2021 season, over the last four seasons. Though Thomas's best football may be behind him, Thomas could be a sneaky addition for the Steelers. While Pickens gets the attention of defenses, Thomas can be a solid second or third option while allowing rookie Roman Wilson to work the slot. If the Steelers can recapture the magic of Thomas, at the low price tag of a 31 year old receiver who has missed significant time, it may be worth the signing.

Corey Davis 

The Steelers have been bringing in several former players on offense that have played for new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, ranging from Cordarrelle Patterson to MyCole Pruitt. If trends are anything to look at, all signs point to a reunion of Smith and former first round pick Corey Davis. Davis played under Smith during their tenure with the Tennessee Titans during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. 

Davis had a combined 108 receptions, seven touchdowns, and was just shy of 1,600 yards receiving during this time. Davis also posted a career high 984 yards in 2020 which provided him the ability for a big pay day by the Jets during the 2020 offseason. Davis was cut due to the loaded receiver room in New York, but could be a decent upgrade in Pittsburgh. 

Treylon Burks 

Speaking of trends, there is another player drafted by the Titans who could be a fit in Pittsburgh. Burks has never quite lived up to his status as a first round pick, accumulating 665 yards and one touchdown in two seasons. Based upon the recent signing of Calvin Ridley, and the link between free agent Tyler Boyd and the Titans, Burks can be the odd man out according to the 33rd team.

"Tennessee’s actions seem to indicate that this front office, which didn't draft Burks, and this new coaching staff aren’t too high on the former first-round pick, so he could be available."

Burks would likely have a cheap asking price to get him out of the building, and with his 4.55 40 yard dash, and his youth at the professional level, could become a low-risk player the Steelers look to mold in this young offense. 

Tyler Lockett 

Though DK Metcalf has been linked to the Steelers in recent trade talks, Lockett feels like the better fit. Not only does he have a better connection with quarter back Russell Wilson from their time together in Seattle, but at the age of 31 could be a cut candidate rather than a trade target. 

Lockett is coming off a slower season by his standards, posting 79 catches for 894 yards. This ending a streak of four straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. Even though Lockett signed a restructured deal to reduce his cap hit by $20 million, Lockett could still be a piece to leave the team that drafted him.