The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room has generated a lot of concern once again heading into the 2025 season. The Steelers made a huge move by trading with the Seattle Seahawks to bring in star wide receiver DK Metcalf. Many fans were eager to see a potentially lethal offense open up with Metcalf on one side and star wide receiver George Pickens on the other. Unfortunately, the Steelers later traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, leaving questions about the depth and talent in the receiver group.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf hauls in a pass as the team practices during 2025 mandatory minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Now, the Steelers wide receiver room has many wondering if additional help is needed. However, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo believes there are already six wide receivers who will earn a roster spot this year. One exciting player in camp is undrafted free agent Roc Taylor. Taylor has looked solid during practices, but making the final roster won’t be easy given the competition.
Fittipaldo also points out that the most likely path for Taylor to secure a spot is if veteran wide receiver Robert Woods is cut. Woods, a proven veteran, is currently competing for a place on the team, but if the Steelers decide to move on from him, it could open the door for Taylor to make an impact. The wide receiver room remains one of the biggest storylines to watch as the Steelers approach the regular season.
"[Roc] Taylor has been good, but I don't know if there is room for him unless they cut someone like Robert Woods," Fittipaldo told his Steelers' chat on Tuesday. "Maybe they will do that. Woods hasn't stood out much to me."
The Steelers are clearly planning to use Metcalf as their star wide receiver. Behind him, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are expected to be the second and third wideouts. Austin proved in 2024 that he has the talent to produce at the NFL level, and with Aaron Rodgers now in town, many expect Austin to take another big step forward in the 2025 season.
Wilson remains more of a question mark. When he was drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many expected him to contribute right away as a rookie. Unfortunately, injuries derailed those hopes, and Wilson was never able to fully get on track. Essentially, his rookie season became a redshirt year, as he saw very limited action on the field.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers WR Roman Wilson makes a big catch over Joey Porter Jr. in training camp.
Now entering his second season, Wilson will be called upon to make a significant impact. If he can produce like Austin did in 2024, the Steelers’ wide receiver room should be in good shape. There have been some conflicting reports from camp about Wilson’s progress, but he did make an incredible catch over Joey Porter Jr., which definitely excited the fan base.
Steelers' Roc Taylor Has Given It His Best Effort
The Steelers have seen Taylor make some great catches in camp. He has also shown his physicality as a blocker, which Steelers fans know certainly has Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni fired up. Azzanni is a coach who values effort, and he’s surely been impressed by what he has seen from the undrafted free agent wideout.
Kylee Surike / The Patriot-News
Steelers wide receiver Roc Taylor carries the football during an intense training camp session as he works to impress coaches and secure his spot on the roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Though making the roster won’t be easy. Also, Woods being cut in favor of Taylor seems a bit far-fetched, but it is a possible situation. Woods is now 33 years old, and it remains to be seen what his impact will truly be in this Pittsburgh offense. Fittipaldo hasn’t been impressed with what he’s seen from Woods. Maybe there’s a world in which Woods gets cut, opening a path to the 53-man roster for Taylor. At the very least, Taylor may be kept around and move up and down from the practice squad.
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