Do The Steelers Now Have The Best Wide Receiver Room In The AFC North Going Into 2023?

There have been a plethora of surprise moves made by Pittsburgh Steelers' General Manager, Omar Khan this offseason. The additions of players such as Isaac Seumalo and Patrick Peterson, among others, have helped shaped the roster in to one of the most talented in the entire NFL. However, on Tuesday afternoon, Khan pulled off perhaps the most shocking one to date with the acquisition of Los Angeles Rams' wide receiver, Allen Robinson. Even more surprising is how little the Steelers had to give up in order to land him. While Robinson is far from his prime, he will undoubtedly provide immense value to the wide receiver room for the black and gold. With Diontae Johnson and George Pickens already in place, the addition of Robinson may provide the Steelers with one of the best trio of pass catchers in the AFC North. 

Both the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns have solid players at wide receiver. However, with all due respect to both teams, there is no denying that the best group of receivers in the AFC North is currently the Cincinnati Bengals with players such as Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. These three young stars are widely considered to be one of the most talented trio of receivers in the NFL today. Collectively this past season, they caught 218 passes for 2,837 yards and 21 touchdowns. An incredibly productive group of players who are poised to perform even better in 2023. With each member of the trio still in the prime of their career, the Bengals have solidified their passing game for the foreseeable future and have provided their quarterback, Joe Burrow, with one of the most talented collection of players in the entire league. 

Comparing Each Group Of Wide Receivers During The 2022 Regular Season

Compared to the Bengals' top three receivers in 2022, the Steelers duo of Johnson and Pickens, combined with Robinson's stats with the Rams, totaled out to 171 receptions for 2,022 yards and a whopping seven touchdowns. From this standpoint, it is no comparison that the Bengals possess the superior group of receivers in comparison to the Steelers. However, the quarterback situation for the Steelers of Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett must be taken in to consideration for this argument. 

The team struggled tremendously early in the season under the guidance of Trubisky. Even when Pickett took over as the team's starter in Week 5, the offense still was not able to achieve success in pushing the ball down the field until later in the season. With Pickett having a full offseason as the Steelers' unquestioned signal caller, there is no doubt that each of the three receivers will see their stats improve in 2023. 

With all this being said, it will still be incredibly difficult for the Steelers' offense to replicate the type of numbers Burrow and the Bengals' offense produce on a weekly basis. Cincinnati not only has a uniquely talented group of playmakers, but also have an improving offensive line, especially with the addition of Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Furthermore, the team has one of the brightest offensive minds at Head Coach in Zac Taylor. With the ascension of Burrow as one of the league's top quarterbacks, the Bengals are primed to have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL in 2023. 

Can The Steelers' Wide Receiver Group Top The Bengals In 2023?

Is there any possible way the Steelers' offense could go toe-to-toe with the Bengals next season? Slim, but possible. Perhaps the best chance of the Steelers attaining this level of productivity comes down to the progression of incoming second-year player, George Pickens. Both Johnson and Robinson have played long enough in the NFL to show the types of players they are, whereas Pickens has only scratched the surface of his potential in 2022. If he can somehow improve from his dazzling rookie campaign, the Steelers may be a serious threat to contend with the Bengals for the AFC North title next season. 

Pickens' ability to make contested catches combined with his freakish athleticism make him arguably the most feared player on the Steelers' offense heading in to next season. Both Johnson and Robinson are viable options as well, and will play critical roles in helping the ascension of Pickett next season. If Pickens takes a significant leap forward in year two, Robinson regains his level of play from 2020, and Johnson develops a better connection with Pickett, the Steelers just might have a shot of overtaking the Bengals by having not only the best group of wide receivers, but also the best overall offense in the AFC North during the 2023 season. 

What Do Yinz Think, Steeler Nation? 

Do you think there is any actual scenario where the Steelers' top three receivers outperform the Bengals in 2023? Will George Pickens lead the team in receiving yards next season? What are your exceptions for Allen Robinson? Leave a comment! 

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