Making a major switch at quarterback — a matter that cleared up today via the Kenny Pickett trade — the Steelers are in need at wide receiver after moving Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson off the roster. An ex-Robinson teammate will be part of the plan.
The team is bringing in Van Jefferson, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. Giving Jefferson a one-year deal, Pittsburgh is eyeing the former second-round Rams draftee as a depth piece.
A second-generation NFL receiver, Jefferson is changing teams for the second time in six months. The Rams moved Jefferson’s rookie contract to the Falcons early last season; the deal did not move the needle for an Atlanta team that struggled to find a reliable complement for Drake London at the position. Jefferson, 27, only caught 20 passes for 209 yards between his Rams and Falcons stints last year.
Jefferson’s most notable NFL work came back in 2021, when he helped a Rams team that changed WR2s midseason. Odell Beckham Jr. effectively replaced Robert Woods, with the latter suffering an ACL tear days after the OBJ addition. Jefferson stayed the course and totaled 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He added nine receptions for 102 yards in the playoffs, collecting a Super Bowl ring soon after. A knee surgery kept the Florida alum on the shelf for much of 2022. He totaled 369 yards in 11 2022 games — snagging the game-winner in Baker Mayfield‘s memorable debut — for a disappointing Rams team.
The Johnson trade solidifies George Pickens as their top wide receiver. While his long-range work would stand to benefit new QB1 Russell Wilson, the Steelers will add more pieces here. Only slot player Calvin Austin resides as a notable auxiliary option beyond Jefferson. Considering the franchise’s success adding at this position in the draft, that should be considered a mortal lock given this class’ depth.
Maybe he can bounce back and make plays. He had butterfingers and missed routes all last year in Atlanta but wish him the best
Very likely needs to beat out Calvin Austin as #4 WR to make the team. They’ll still sign a vet and draft a guy early.
Even as WR4, not playing ST is going to make it tough to justify keeping him on the 53. Would be a good PS guy though.
Aside from Pickens, Austin, and now Jefferson, who are the receivers he’s competing with?
@tylerall5, nobody really unless I’m missing a practice team WR lol
Here’s a novel idea. Bring home Tyler Boyd and Skyy Moore.
@Mr Goodkat— I agree they should go WR second round. Austin showed some flashes last year and he’s starting from scratch with a new OC just like Van is. So who knows if he wins WR3 behind whoever else they bring in
Just don’t believe they do everything they have and allow the wideout room to be a combo of Pickens, a couple guys who are green and a couple draft picks. Have to believe they’re working on something
Not a slot player though right? Neither is Austin. So both are WR4/backup X/Z’s in my opinion.
They’ll sign a cheap slot vet and draft somebody to grow into the #2 role (hopefully a new X). Boyd fits in that he can play inside and out, though not as well as he once did. If they bring in a Renfrow type then Austin or Van get more early season run outside while the rook earns his starting snaps.
Unless they seriously are looking at him as a #2 option in 2 WR sets with Pickens. If so…woof.
Jefferson could certainly do that, if he’s to form. You obviously don’t want last year’s production, but bouncing around teams (especially to a bad one offensively with clear options ahead of you) doesn’t help production.
Perhaps Smith liked what Jefferson could do, and is hoping to utilize him better in Pittsburgh. Or perhaps this is just a familiar option. In any case, you have to hope that the bouncing or bad QB play in Atlanta is what caused the low production, and not the player, because he figures to run some familiar routes again. Ultimately, the receivers are much less a concern than the offense being able to enable Russell Wilson to play his style of ball. If it can’t, none of these receivers will make much of a difference.
Should at least know the offense
Wish Seattle was looking to offload Lockett. Would be a nice piece for the Steelers with Russ
That would make a good deal of sense actually. For the right price of course.
Doesn’t make any sense on Seattle’s end though
The only way that it does is if the Steelers are willing to pay. Seattle has a good WR right now, no sense in giving him up unless they can use the compensation to upgrade somewhere.
Well, they have two with D.K.
But you’re right. Do they make a big splash and trade for a big time wideout with draft capital when this draft is supposed to be loaded with receivers?
I just don’t see them bringing in Wilson to have a guy like Pickens and a lot of youth. The moves they’ve made would point to a win-now mentality
Oh yes, when I said “a” good WR I was referring to Lockett, but not in the sense that he was their only good receiver. I merely meant that he was a good receiver that they did have-they have in their hands a good receiver, and it only makes sense to give him up if they get something more valuable in return. Seattle seems prepared to go ahead with two skilled veteran weapons for Geno Smith (or Howell? Or another new QB?).
For Pittsburgh, it gives them a player who knows Wilson’s tendencies, but it also doesn’t profile as a long term addition. While not old necessarily, Lockett isn’t exactly young. This would purely be a Wilson move. How long is he going to be the Steelers’ QB1? It’s not likely to be further than two more years, though it could be, and I wouldn’t peg at longer than four in a positive case scenario. So, as you’ve said, it would be a very win-now move. If Wilson amazes, then it could build some momentum next year. But overall, I don’t think that it happens, because whatever Seattle’s asking price would be would likely be valuable in Pittsburgh selecting a younger and homegrown alternative. Not a bad hypothetical, but probably not going to happen this year.