The Pittsburgh Steelers added an extra pick during the 2025 NFL Draft—and still didn’t take a wide receiver. While I’m sure they didn’t actively avoid the position, it’s pretty clear they didn’t view it as a major priority. Many on the outside considered it a top need, even a first-round option, but the draft is over, and none of the Steelers’ seven draft picks will be working with Zach Azzanni.
Of course, the Steelers used their second-round draft pick to acquire WR DK Metcalf, which is a pretty glaring caveat. Essentially, they invested one of their most valuable resources in a clear-cut No. 1 WR, which takes the edge off.
Still, one can’t ignore that the Steelers scouted the position in a meaningful way. They even took a pretty close look at some first- and second-round wide receivers, like Matthew Golden, with pre-draft visits.
The other angle here is the elephant in the room. Many thought that the Steelers would trade WR George Pickens, which would have left a massive hole. We don’t know the extent to which they fielded or considered any serious offers, but they didn’t pull the trigger. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but presumably, they would have done it during the draft.
I’m not surprised, especially in the absence of a trade, that the Steelers didn’t draft a wide receiver. This is a position that they have invested in, and they need time to develop it. Between Metcalf and Roman Wilson, they are essentially introducing two high-value resources in 2025. They still have high hopes for George Pickens taking his game to yet another level, perhaps with better quarterback play. And quietly, Calvin Austin III has emerged as a legitimate contributor.
Yet another angle is the fact that the Steelers can still bolster their wide receiver room. They already added a couple of undrafted free agents, namely Roc Taylor and Ke’Shawn Williams. But come Monday, they are also free to sign veteran free agents.
Some of the names still out there include Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Nelson Agholor, DJ Chark, and of course, our good friends Allen Robinson II and Gunner Olszewski. While this might not be the most appetizing list, the Steeles would be looking at them as depth options. At the absolute ceiling, one would slot in third behind Pickens and Metcalf.
There are areas the Steelers could have taken a wide receiver in the draft. In the fourth round, for example, they added OLB Jack Sawyer, despite the position not being an overt need. But Sawyer represented value too strong to pass up. Still available at the time were receivers like Jaylin Royals and Elic Ayomanor. But would they have made the Steelers better than Sawyer might? Better than the veteran wide receiver options remaining compared to the pass rushers?
