Steelers Now
DK Metcalf isn’t getting much help. As one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ key offseason acquisitions, the seventh-year pro leads the team in receiving yards (573), touchdown grabs (5) and is tied for the most receptions (42).
Knotted with him for that last total? Tailback Kenneth Gainwell.
To this point, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson haven’t produced how Mike Tomlin would have preferred. The Steelers still need pass-catching help.
Brandin Cooks, anyone?
The 12th-year receiver, known for his speed, cleared waivers on Monday after being released by the New Orleans Saints. He’s there for the Steelers to add if they’d so desire.
Cooks and the Saints had mutually agreed to go their different ways last Wednesday, but contract language slowed the process of the divorce. All teams had a 24-hour window to submit a claim on the former first-round draft pick. Throughout the course of his career, he’s spent time with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Saints (twice).
Cooks has posted 19 catches for 165 yards this season.
With 298 receiving yards, tight end Pat Freiermuth ranks second for the Steelers. Austin (278), Gainwell (234), Darnell Washington (231) and Jaylen Warren (219) follow. The Steelers signed free agent wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad earlier this month, but he has yet to be elevated to the active roster.
Valdes-Scantling played with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers while the two were in Green Bay. The former had a career year in 2020, posting 690 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former First-Round WR Available for Needy Steelers
