Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers could further strengthen their wide receiver room before the start of the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to finally have a legitimate wide receiver room thanks to their offseason additions of veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and second-round pick Germie Bernard. However, some believe they could still add to the group before the start of the season.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has named the Steelers a logical landing spot for free-agent wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
“Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has recorded just one season of 1,000 or more receiving yards during his NFL career. However, his ability to contribute as both a receiver and a runner has allowed him to top 800 scrimmage yards in six of his seven campaigns,” Knox wrote. “Though he’s never been a true No. 1 receiver, Samuel has been consistently productive when healthy. Even at 30, he can still be a quality contributor as a receiver and change-of-pace backfield option. Samuel would make the most sense for a potential playoff contender that needs receiver depth and is looking to lead with its ground game.”
Samuel is coming off yet another productive season, during which he recorded 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for another 75 yards and a score with the Washington Commanders. That was mostly without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, too.
He also wouldn’t need to be the No. 1 or even No. 2 option in Pittsburgh, behind DK Metcalf and Pittman, which would allow the team to play Bernard when he is truly ready.
The potential addition of Samuel would also put a little more pressure on former third-round pick Roman Wilson, who has greatly disappointed through his first two NFL seasons.
This does raise the arguments that the Steelers don’t necessarily need Samuel and that he should look for an opportunity that guarantees him more playing time.
However, it wouldn’t hurt Pittsburgh to do a little homework on Samuel with training camp right around the corner and the inevitability of injuries occurring.
A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel has recorded 406 receptions for 5,519 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 1,218 yards and 21 more scores in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Linked to Former All-Pro Wide Receiver
