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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf needs some more help in the passing game.
It’s August 14, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still have a wide receiver issue behind DK Metcalf as training camp has officially come to a close in Latrobe.
“Wide receiver [was] the position that [was] probably — coming into training camp — the biggest question mark, and I don’t feel like we really answered any of those questions,” Steelers Now beat reporter and insider Alan Saunders voiced while giving his final takeaways of camp on August 13.
“Roman Wilson has had a good camp,” Saunders acknowledged, before adding: “But most of that has come while Calvin Austin has been injured. [Wilson has] been playing in the slot. Calvin Austin being injured again doesn’t help anybody [and] really has highlighted the inability of most of these guys to get open.”
In other words, while Wilson has shown signs, no wide receiver has truly impressed this summer outside of Metcalf — oh, and one other surprise training camp standout.
“The one guy, I feel like, made this team at training camp is Scotty Miller,” Saunders revealed. “If they had to play a game today, Scotty Miller would be in the starting lineup along with DK Metcalf.”
The Steelers beat reporter then reiterated that Miller has “been the team’s next best [wide] receiver.”
Explaining: “He’s been that good. I think he’s developed a real connection with Aaron Rodgers, [which is] not surprising when you look at how well Miller did when he had Tom Brady throwing him the ball. There’s just something about those experienced quarterbacks and the way he’s able to get open.”
Scotty Miller Can Solidify Place Within Steelers WR Corps With Another Strong Preseason Outing
GettyPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller is once again proving that he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.
Miller had a nice first preseason outing on August 9, catching all four of his targets for a total of 47 receiving yards. That was tied for the team lead in receptions with running back Trey Sermon, and second in receiving yardage behind wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams — another smaller pass-catcher at 5-foot-9.
The problem is that the Steelers have a lot of similar players, and very few wideouts who can line up on the outside across from Metcalf.
The coaching staff made it clear early on at camp that they hoped Austin could be that guy, but the injury has derailed his progress.
Could the 5-foot-9 Miller line up outside? Unlikely, but with all these slot receivers on the roster, someone is going to have to do it.
And with another strong preseason performance this weekend, Miller could solidify some type of defined role within this Steelers offense.
Robert Woods Has Not Impressed at Steelers Camp
After identifying Miller as the clear standout this summer, Saunders briefly discussed a few of the other Steelers wide receiver options who have struggled to make an impact at training camp.
“Beyond [Metcalf, Austin, Wilson and Miller], Ben Skowronek is here for special teams,” he began, “haven’t been impressed by Robert Woods, [and] the undrafted guys — Roc Taylor, Ke’Shawn Williams, Max Hurleman — I feel like they’re coming [along]. I don’t know if they’re coming fast enough to get to the 53-man roster. But I think all three of those guys are interesting enough to keep around.”
The main player that stands out in this group is Woods. At age 33, no one in their right mind expected Woods to have a resurgence except the Steelers and the veteran WR himself.
In the end, the naysayers have been proven right about this one, and it seems the former two-time 1,000-yard playmaker of the Los Angeles Rams won’t be much help after all.
Along with Williams (2 for 55 yards and 1 TD), Taylor (2 for 38 yards) and Hurleman (2 for 29 yards and 1 TD) both had solid preseason debuts.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller
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