A free agent wide receiver has not been a factor on offense thus far for the Steelers, but another free-agent wide receiver could be
When the Steelers signed Donte Moncrief in free agency, my initial thought was this: It is an indictment of James Washington, a former second-round pick, that we have to go the route of free agency to find a WR who can step up to be the ‘Robin’ to Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster’s ‘Batman’.
I would guess most fans were thinking along the same lines as I was thinking, but Moncrief has been nothing short of an unmitigated disappointment. According to the team’s official website, Moncrief has caught 4 passes for 18 yards with zero TDs. In fact, Moncrief has dressed for only four games this season.
I’m pretty sure the Steelers did not anticipate a lack of production from a veteran WR like Moncrief, but the reality is this: He is not contributing to our efforts; thus, the Steelers should release him, but probably won’t.
I understand that Washington is injured, and I know that we lack both depth and experience among the receiving corp, but Moncrief, at this point in his tenure, has not been productive, and he can’t stretch the field. The offense needs a receiver who is a good route runner who can reach the field so that all of the underneath routes become available.
The closest receiver we have on the roster who can probably execute the above is Johnny Holton, but he hasn’t really been involved in the offense to this point. So who could fit the bill? Who could provide the offense with speed and route running and is a ‘big body’ receiver?
Personally, I think the Steelers need to sign Dez Bryant. Look, before you eviscerate me, hear me out. Bryant may not be as fast as Moncrief, but football speed is different from the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Right now, the offense is stagnating because we can neither run the ball consistently, nor can the receivers get consistent separation. Those two factors could spell doom for the offense if we don’t do something to address them.
Releasing Moncrief and signing Bryant makes sense to me, but the Steelers probably won’t do either of those things.
Let’s see what else the Steelers should do during the bye week.