Caleb Harris
So far, the Steelers’ quest to land a proven veteran has been like the “Sopranos” finale: lots of buildup that ended in a dark abyss. We may never know what happened to Tony Soprano, but time will ultimately determine how Pittsburgh’s receiver situation develops.
So here’s what we know so far, or at least according to reports.
So far, the Steelers have been unable to complete any of these deals, but rest assured, Pittsburgh will remedy the situation by the start of the regular season in September.
The market has cooled, but the Steelers still have some options, both in free agency and via trade. Below is my ranking of Pittsburgh’s options relative to veterans.
1.DK Metcalf (Seahawks)
Metcalf is at the top of the list based on the fact that the Steelers would have asked about him. This is a long shot, as he is a Pro Bowl-caliber player and the Steelers would likely have to give up a lot to acquire him.
Metcalf would give the Steelers a top receiver alongside George Pickens. He’s a physical marvel (checking in at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds) and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Seattle needs to be willing to trade Metcalf for that to happen. He has receiver depth, so that can’t be completely ruled out, but the Steelers would also have to be willing to pay a high price to acquire him. There’s also the question of long-term salary and whether or not the Steelers view Pickens as their long-term No. 1.
2.Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
Another broad expansion of Seattle, but a much more realistic option. Lockett has been one of the most underrated players of the last decade. His numbers dropped a bit last year, but he’s still a quality player who blossomed during his time under Russell Wilson. Lockett is also at the end of his career, so unlike Metcalf, his arrival would do nothing to question Pickens’ status in Pittsburgh’s broader hierarchy.
One of the things I really like about this option is that Pittsburgh rookie Roman Wilson has often been compared to Lockett when it comes to his playing styles. In that sense, Lockett’s presence would certainly help Wilson as he looks to get his NFL career off the ground.
3. Courtland Sutton (Broncos)
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it doesn’t appear the Broncos are willing to part with Sutton. But if they are, he would be an ideal choice for the Steelers. Still a 30-year-old right tackle, Sutton has caught a career-high 10 touchdown passes in 2023 with Wilson throwing the ball to him. He is exceptional when it comes to finding openings in the middle of defenses, especially against zone schemes.
4. Deebo Samuel (49ers)
49ers general manager John Lynch recently said the team is no longer entertaining trades for Samuel or Aiyuk. But we all know that what teams say and what they do don’t always match up. It would be expensive (possibly in the form of a future second-round pick), but the Steelers could continue to pursue Samuel, a versatile player who would open up a world of possibilities for Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
Yes, Samuel is a talented player, but he has already proven in San Francisco that he can flourish alongside another top receiver.
5. Mecole Hardman (Bosses)
Hardman flourished in Kansas City as a complementary expansion. He won three rings with the Chiefs and scored the winning score in Kansas City’s final game Super Bowl beat the 49ers. Along with his skills as a wideout, Hardman is a former Pro Bowl returner who, as a rookie, recorded the league’s longest kickoff return (104 yards).
Like all the remaining available receivers, there are questions about Hardman. The biggest question surrounding Hardman is whether or not he leaked game plans to opposing teams during his short tenure with the New York Jets.
