Steelers must sign a slot receiver to ensure flexibility in 2022 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost three wide receivers this offseason. Here’s why it’s crucial to find a slot receiver prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Most would agree that the Pittsburgh Steelers have done a good job with their free-agent moves during the 2022 offseason. While they’ve had several players sign elsewhere during free agency, Kevin Colbert has filled some big positions of need with quality football players.

By doing so, he has covered the bases and ensured that the Steelers can be flexible in the direction they go with their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, there is one more position that Pittsburgh must address prior to April: they need to find a slot receiver.

Fortunately, these are relatively easy to come by. Though they may only be getting a stop-gap player who could help them out in the passing game for the next year or two, it’s important that they find one prior to the draft.

So far this offseason, the Steelers have lost three of their top five wide receivers from the 2021 season. JuJu Smith-Schuster recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, James Washington joined the Dallas Cowboys, and slot WR/PR Ray-Ray McCloud inked a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Steelers did make some effort when they signed WR Gunnar Olszewski. While he has been a terrific punt return over the past two seasons (earned an All-Pro in 2020 for his return skills), he offers almost nothing in the receiving game as he has just 9 career catches in his first 3 NFL seasons.

Steelers must find a slot receiver soon

Finding an experienced and capable slot receiver is the next step in covering all the bases prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, and there are still some quality names on the market.

Jamison Crowder is a player who would make a lot of sense. Though they aren’t starving for a punt returner after the Olszewski signing, Crowder is underrated from the slot and offers a consistent safety valve underneath for new quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Jarvis Landry and Cole Beasley are also experienced options that could give them a veteran presence in the WR room.

Why is this important? By adding a slot receiver, the Steelers wouldn’t be pigeonholed into drafting a receiver who ‘fits their need’ early in the NFL Draft. Skyy Moore is a player who could fill this role for Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be the best option on day two.

I really like players like Georgia WR George Pickens and North Dakota State WR Christian Watson this year. Both could prove to be excellent picks on day two if they make it to Pittsburgh’s selection.

However, both Pickens and Watson are much better suited to play outside the hashes. By signing a slot receiver prior to the NFL Draft, Pittsburgh can set its sights on the best overall talents available instead of being forced into taking a receiver who fills a role for them.

After one of his most active offseasons, Kevin Colbert isn’t done making moves just yet. I think adding a reliable slot receiver will ensure that the Steelers could go any direction in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft instead of being forced into taking a WR who fills an immediate need.