Steelers Hear High Praise About Young Wide Receiver: "He's Just Getting Started"

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL Preseason by a final score of 17-14. Despite the loss, the Steelers had some bright performances on both sides of the ball. The Steelers rested numerous offensive starters, including new wide receiver DK Metcalf. With Metcalf resting, the Steelers' young receiving corps saw the opportunity to make some plays against the Buccaneers, and one player caught the attention of a very prestigious NFL analyst. 

Roman Wilson played the entire first half in Saturday's loss vs Tampa Bay, but he was only targeted four times. Wilson made the most of those four targets, catching two passes for 72 yards. Despite his small sample size, NFL Network film guru Brain Baldinger was very impressed with what he saw from the former Michigan Wolverine. 

Baldinger posted a video to his X account Sunday morning of both of Wilson's catches vs the Buccaneers. In the first clip, Wilson ran right past the Buccaneers defense for a 42-yard completion, and Baldinger was blown away by Wilson's speed.

"When he was coming out [of Michigan], Roman Wilson ran a 4.39 40, he's got that kind of speed that can play on the outside," Baldinger said.

Wilson's speed is something that Steeler fans have not gotten to see yet in his NFL career. Wilson battled injuries throughout his rookie season, as he did not play at all during the preseason and only played five total snaps during the 2024 regular season. Some Steeler fans think that Wilson could compete for the second or third wide receiver position on the Steelers' depth chart, and big plays like fans saw Saturday night will only help his case. 

The second clip on Baldinger's post was a post-dig concept that left Wilson wide open in the middle of the Tampa Bay secondary. Scotty Miller cleared out the four defensive backs with a post route, which allowed Wilson to run free underneath on a dig route. Baldinger highlighted the great protection from the Steelers' offensive line that gave Skylar Thompson plenty of time to wait for the play to develop and hit the open Wilson for a gain of 30 yards. 

Baldinger continued his praise for Wilson and his versatility as a wide receiver who can play all over the field.

"He's a guy that can play in the slot, he can play outside, he's a good blocker, and he's just getting started," Baldinger said.

The Steelers drafted Wilson 84th overall in 2024 with the hope that he could make an immediate impact opposite of George Pickens. Wilson was never able to earn the opportunity to become a starter, as he sprained his ankle early into training camp. Once Wilson made a recovery, he appeared in the Steelers' Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but shortly after suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. 

Steelers fans have been waiting on the opportunity for Wilson to prove his talents. Wilson was a playmaker in his days at Michigan, especially during his senior season where he had over 780 yards and 12 touchdowns as he helped lead the Wolverines to a College Football Playoff National Championship. 

Steelers' Wilson Still Competing For Starting Role

Wilson finds himself as a third stringer on the Steelers current depth chart, behind starters Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, and second-stringers Miller and Robert Woods. Wilson will have one more opportunity to compete for a larger role in the Steelers' offense. 

Pittsburgh will wrap up the 2025 preseason on Thursday when they travel to Charlotte, NC to face the Carolina Panthers. Traditionally, starters see an increased amount of snaps in the regular season finale, so we will see if Wilson is able to make one last impression before the regular season begins. 

#SteelerNation