Steelers Need This Key Element Added To Their Offense For 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers were spenders in free agency this offseason, filling in needs on the offensive line. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin, based on their recent moves, clearly want to get back to “smash mouth football.” While left tackle is still a position of need, it is not the key piece missing on offense. Dan Moore Jr. has had his struggles in pass protection, I get that, but there is another element that is missing from the offense that can take them over the top. 

Over the years, the Steelers have had the "secret philosophy" for finding wide receivers in the draft. The years of Kevin Colbert being the general manager and even now with Omar Khan, the philosophy of drafting WR's can arguably be the best in the NFL. Over the past 20 years, the Steelers have had quite the track record when it comes to drafting  the wide receiver position, no matter the round. 

Even looking at last season, George Pickens was taken in the second round, the 11th WR overall drafted in 2022, made immediate splash plays and became a fan favorite instantly. In observation of the current roster, the Steelers have Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Cody White, Anthony Miler and Gunner Olszewski. Johnson is the shifty route runner and Pickens is a "freak of nature" with his ability to catch any football thrown in his radius. Although these pieces are good, the key element that is missing from this offense is a pure "deep threat" wide receiver.

What element is missing for the Steelers? 

In recent years, the Steelers have had that one receiver who can take the top off a defense. From 2009-2012, the Steelers had Mike Wallace who could be summed up in one word - FAST! During his tenure with the Steelers, Wallace was considered as one of the fastest receivers in the NFL. He was a true deep threat and opened up things for the offense underneath. In 2010-2018, the Steelers had Antonio Brown, who turned into an All-World WR and the best WR of his decade. 

In 2014-2017, the Steelers had Martavis Bryant. All three of these players had an element that you need... SPEED! 

Why is a speedy receiver necessary? 

The Steelers need to add a deep threat WR to the receiving core. Adding this key piece to the offense will allow Kenny Pickett to have a true "homerun" option in the play-action game. I know Johnson and Pickens have had their fair share of "deep shot" opportunities, however, selecting a true threat will allow them to flourish in this offense. With the Steelers moving towards more of a "smash-mouth" style of play, play-action and homerun shots will open up the offense. 

Thinking back to Ben Roethlisberger going play-action and taking shot to Brown, Wallace, Bryant, Sammie Coats, Nate Washington or even Santonio Holmes, all these WR's were primed to take the top off a defense. Looking into the 2023 NFL Draft, there are WR's that can potentially fill this void. Receivers to look out for are Jaylin Hyatt - Tennessee,  Josh Downs - North Carolina, and Trey Palmer - Nebraska.

So SteelerNation, what do you guys think about adding a deep threat to the WR room? Let us know in the comments below.

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