The Steelers need their 2024 third-round pick to take a big jump forward
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday morning. The Steelers received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in return, and also sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas.
With Pickens gone, the Steelers will need someone to step up and take on a bigger role. Whether they go out and add another free agent wide receiver is yet to be determined, so one name that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says Pittsburgh is counting on is 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.
“[The Steelers are] counting on [a] Roman Wilson Year 2 jump,” Fowler said on X. “This offseason he looks like a different player than from his injury-riddled rookie campaign.”
On Pittsburgh’s offense, post-Pickens trade:
–#Steelers remain in contact with Aaron Rodgers and are hopeful that he’ll be a Steeler. But, as of now, no hard update.
-Team counting on Roman Wilson Year 2 jump. This offseason he looks like a different player than from his…— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 7, 2025
The Michigan product suffered a sprained ankle in training camp last season, which ultimately led to him not getting on the field as a rookie. The Steelers drafted the National Champion wide receiver with the hopes of him being a difference-maker, and they will be counting on him to take a jump in 2025.
Wilson predominantly played in the slot at Michigan, which is likely the role he will fill with the Steelers. If he takes a big jump, similar to how Calvin Austin did in 2024, the Steelers’ corps will be far better off than what they are currently slated to be.