Steelers' Top NFL Free Agency, Draft WR Options After Mike Williams' Jets Contract
The New York Jets have signed former Los Angeles Chargers standout wideout Mike Williams to a one-year deal, taking a potential Pittsburgh Steelers pass-catcher off the board.
Where do the Steelers turn at wideout now? They need more help at the position after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and the release of Allen Robinson II. George Pickens is the clear No. 1 wideout, but the team needs more depth behind him.
Luckily, the team has some cap space to burn as well as four draft picks in the top 100. Here's a look at three wide receivers the Steelers can pursue to help round out the pass-catching crew.
Tyler Boyd
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The Tyler Boyd-Steelers connection has been prevalent throughout free agency, although Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reported recently that not everyone in the organization appears to be on board.
Still, with Williams now unavailable, one has to wonder if the Steelers get something done. He and Odell Beckham Jr. are the best available free-agent wideouts, per Pro Football Focus.
With the team needing to address other roster concerns in the draft (namely, offensive line), it'll behoove Pittsburgh to at least sign one free agent wide receiver before April.
Boyd would be a good pickup. He's been a dependable wideout on the Cincinnati Bengals for eight season, posting a 68.1 percent catch rate. While he isn't an explosive wideout who's going to make big splash plays every week, he's reliable and helps moves the chains.
While Pittsburgh should add at least one wideout in the draft, it doesn't make sense for the team to go into late April without signing more reinforcements. Boyd seems like a good fit.
Troy Franklin
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Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin just enjoyed an excellent season to close out his collegiate tenure with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Right now, the B/R NFL Scouting Department ranks him as a Day 2 prospect and No. 76 overall on its big board.
B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen had this to say about him.
"Franklin's speed makes him an exciting swing on high-end potential, while his crafty route-running and attention to detail gives him a comfortable floor, Klassen wrote. "Franklin would fit best as a No. 2 in a vertical offense, primarily as an outside receiver."
He could certainly be available for the Steelers at No. 52 overall in the second round. Waiting until their third-round choice (No. 83) would probably lead to them missing out on him.
The Steelers already have a No. 1 wideout in George Pickens, who presents a big downfield target. Franklin could easily fit in as a No. 2 wide receiver on the team.
Jonathan Heitritter of Steelers Depot wrote about the possibility in his scouting report.
"The Steelers could use more pure speed at wide receiver, and Franklin would make for a great addition as a guy who can play outside and in the slot," Heitritter wrote.
"It will likely cost Pittsburgh one of its top two picks to secure Franklin and there are more pressing needs on the roster. But if the Steelers want to improve their passing game and make it more lethal, Troy Franklin would be a great piece to make that happen."
Franklin lit up Pac-12 fields at Oregon's star, and his skillset could certainly translate to great success in the pros.
Ladd McConkey
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The Steelers are trying to replace Diontae Johnson, and they could conceivably do so by taking a wide receiver that the B/R NFL Scouting Department compared to the five-year veteran.
"McConkey can be a good slot/Z type in the NFL," B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen wrote.
"He can play both inside and out, he is a highly effective route-runner and his hands are reliable enough. With that said, McConkey's lack of size and strength will likely limit him to being a complementary piece rather than a core part of his future offense."
McConkey has enjoyed a successful pre-draft process, including a great pro day and a 4.39 ttime in the 40-yard dash. There's even some chatter about McConkey, largely considered a Day 2 prospect, moving up to Round 1.
If he doesn't, though, then McConkey is someone the Steelers should consider. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network said that McConkey reminds him a lot of ex-Seattle Seahawks star Doug Baldwin coming out of college. Baldwin, of course, enjoyed a great rapport with current Steelers quarterback (and ex-Seattle QB1) Russell Wilson.
Wilson may not be for long in Pittsburgh given his one-year deal, but McConkey could be a good fit with the Steelers regardless.
"If drafted in a reasonable range, McConkey would be a good fit in Pittsburgh and an undeniable upgrade over Allen Robinson in the slot in just about every category besides experience," Ryland Bickley of Steelers Depot wrote in February.
Ultimately, it's hard seeing the Steelers going through the top 100 without selecting one wideout. McConkey could be that guy.
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