The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed WR Miles Boykin to a one-year deal, the team announced Monday.
Claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens last summer, Boykin was a key special teamer for the Steelers in 2022. He logged 207 snaps there, recording 10 tackles (nine solo) and working as one of the league’s better gunners. He became a free agent in March but is signing back days ahead of the NFL Draft.
The deal is likely to be a veteran benefit contract.
Boykin saw little time on offense and caught only two passes but was an effective blocker in heavy personnel situations. He figures to assume similar roles in 2023. Boykin missed one game last year due to an oblique injury but was largely healthy and available, doing his job well.
A third-round pick of the 2019 draft from Notre Dame, the Steelers expressed interest in him during the pre-draft process. But they selected Toledo WR Diontae Johnson instead as a more natural replacement for Antonio Brown and Boykin became a Raven. After finding some success early in his career there, scoring seven touchdowns his first two seasons, he lost his offensive role and played primarily on special teams in 2021 before the Ravens waived him last summer. The Steelers put in a waiver claim and were awarded him.
For his career, Boykin has caught 35 passes for 481 yards and seven scores, though he has only three receptions over his last two seasons.
Pittsburgh’s WR room now consists of Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, and Boykin, along with a handful of players signed to futures deals this summer. The WR room looks fairly settled and it’s looking less likely the team adds through the draft, though a late Day Three pick can’t be ruled out.
