Now that minicamp is officially over, the Pittsburgh Steelers focus now shifts to July 26, the opening day of training camp. Sure, there are seven weeks without Steeler football between now and then, but the news never stops off the field. There's always the chance of a free agent signing or a potential trade. Even though action on the field has ceased for the time being, we will continue to receive team news throughout the entire summer.
If Pittsburgh wants to compete for the division crown, they still have a lot of work to do. They need to sign a decent RB2 to complement Najee Harris, a seasoned WR and OT, and some depth pieces for the defensive line. However, in this article, I will not cover all of these requirements. I'm just going to talk about one of them, which is the possibility of this team acquiring a veteran wide receiver in free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (#18) and Chase Claypool (#11) celebrate at Heinz Field. | The Athletic
The Steelers current biggest off-season need
In my perspective, this is an underrated need. The team has lost that leadership presence in the WR room with the departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster. Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson have the potential to be the leaders of this group, but I still believe they need at least one experienced receiver to help develop a young WR room. Having a seasoned WR who has seen it all will assist not just the rookies, but also players like Johnson and Claypool to evolve into more of a leader in the future.
Another reason Pittsburgh needs to add a WR is the position's lack of depth. The team doesn't have a proven WR3 other than Johnson and Claypool. They have outstanding receivers in George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, but they're still rookies at the position. They have yet to play a single snap in the NFL and will undoubtedly experience some growing pains. What better approach to assist them in overcoming their growing pains than to bring in a vet to assist them in preparing for and recovering from their mistakes.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver, Calvin Austin III during Organized Team Activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA. | Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
At the end of the day, I won't be upset if Pittsburgh doesn't fill this need. I just believe that bringing in a veteran WR will not only benefit them on the field this year, but it will also help them develop the young players into future stars. Fortunately for the Pittsburgh, numerous quality options remain on the market, and with training camp and the regular season rapidly approaching, Pittsburgh may be able to sign a solid WR for a low price. A move like this is what distinguishes excellent teams from bad teams.
Do you think Pittsburgh needs to add a WR? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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