Steelers Now
Former NFL wide receiver Isaiah Stanback shares his big expectations for new Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Many believe new Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is in store for a big season. Former NFL wide receiver Isaiah Stanback has taken those expectations to another level, predicting Metcalf will finish as a top five wide receiver in the AFC in 2025.
“I think there’s a chance,” Stanback said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” “He is the big dog on campus. He is the only big name in the room. The rest of the guys that are in that room, you talk about Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, guys who are complimentary players. DK has always had a complimentary player who really has to be respected like a true No. 2 receiver. I think for the first time in his career, he’s not gonna have anybody in that room with him.”
"He is the big dawg on campus" @IamSTANBACK believes @dkm14 can be a Top 5 WR in the AFC this season👀 pic.twitter.com/ho0d4ZiawL
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) June 25, 2025
Last season, Metcalf racked up 66 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games.
His receiving yards total ranked 25th in the NFL behind several notable AFC wide receivers, including Cincinnati Bengals Ja’Marr Chase (1,708), Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr. (1,282), Cleveland Browns Jerry Jeudy (1,229), Los Angeles Chargers Ladd McConkey (1,149), New York Jets Garrett Wilson (1,104), Denver Broncos Courtland Sutton (1,081), Baltimore Ravens Zay Flowers (1,059) and Houston Texans Nico Collins (1,006).
However, having the opportunity to pair up with four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh has some believing he could have his best season yet.
That and the fact that Metcalf may have the least amount of competition he’s had to get the football in his professional career.
“That might work against him in terms of having coverage rolled to him,” Standback continued. “But I don’t believe they’re gonna bring him into this team, into this organization, with this quarterback and not feed him the ball.”
Rodgers has had the reputation of feeding his No. 1 wide receivers over the years. That will likely be the case for Metcalf if the Steelers don’t add another significant playmaker before the start of the season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former WR Has Big Expectations for Steelers DK Metcalf in 2025
