Pittsburgh Steelers WR depth chart: Updates after George Pickens trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers will look much different during the 2025 season.
They moved on from quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and brought back former third-round pick Mason Rudolph. They also added Will Howard from Ohio State in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. The changes on offense aren't just in the QB room, however.
On Wednesday morning, Pittsburgh traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a package that includes a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pickens, Pittsburgh's second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, led the receiver room in receptions (59) and receiving yards (900) in 2024.
The move comes after the Steelers were busy earlier in the offseason when they acquired two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks to bolster the wide receiver room heading into 2025.
Pittsburgh will have a new-look offense in 2025 under incumbent OC Arthur Smith. Here's what the depth chart looks like at wide receiver.
Steelers WR depth chart
These players are currently under contract for 2025:
- DK Metcalf
- Calvin Austin
- Robert Woods
- Ben Skowronek
- Roman Wilson
- Scotty Miller
- Ke'Shawn Williams
- Brandon Johnson
- Lance McCutcheon
- Roc Taylor
Metcalf is the top target in Pittsburgh even before the trade went down. The 27-year-old has unmatched physical traits and is a true No. 1. He leads the NFL with 96 end-zone targets since entering the league.
The departure of Pickens means the Steelers are lacking a true No. 2 option at the top of the depth chart. Expect the Steelers to continue to add to the room as the offseason progresses.
Austin will likely be the top slot man unless usurped by second-year wideout Roman Wilson.
The rest of the room is comprised of low-cost veterans and undrafted rookie free agents.
Pittsburgh signed Woods in free agency after he played 15 games with the Houston Texans in 2024. He enters his 13th NFL season and provides a veteran presence in the locker room. He's an excellent blocker which will keep him on the field in Arthur Smith's run-heavy scheme.
Smith's offenses with the Titans, Falcons and Steelers have leaned on the ground game. The Steelers had the fourth fewest pass attempts per game with Wilson and Fields in 2024. Therefore, the current lack of depth in the receiver room may not be as concerning as presumed.