The Pittsburgh Steelers' initial roster is finally set, and now all eyes are on the team's week one matchup against the Falcons. While the dust has settled after cutdowns and the players that other teams wanted have been claimed, there could still be time to adjust the roster.
In particular, receiver feels like it could use another viable option right now.
While there was little doubt who the final six receivers would be on the roster, the group still feels like it is lacking great depth. Your fifth and sixth options right now are only there for special teams, while the fourth and third options are young unknowns.
In particular, Roman Wilson feels like a big gamble. With that in mind, the Steelers could try to sign the perfect veteran to potentially replace the former third-round pick, Trent Sherfield.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could make a quiet upgrade in their receiver room
Wilson was injured for most of his first season and struggled down the stretch in his second year. He had a lot to prove this offseason, and the early results were actually good.
Wilson was peppered with targets during practice and seemed like a favorite target for Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. The third receiver spot felt like it was his for the taking, and a breakout season was potentially being set up.
Then the pads came on and the preseason happened, and Wilson disappeared.
While he could still get the first look as the third receiver, it doesn't feel like the leash will be long before Germie Bernard takes over. Once that occurs, Wilson will likely once again be a weekly inactive.
Instead, the Steelers could look to get some value out of a player like Sherfield. The veteran didn't make the Bills' active roster and was instead signed to their practice squad. This means the Steelers could poach him and add him to their active roster.
Would it lead to Wilson being cut outright? Potentially, but Ben Skowronek got banged up in the final preseason game. He could be moved to IR for the first four weeks to heal up, opening a spot for Sherfield.
I won't pretend that Sherfield is a great receiving threat; he isn't, but he can be a dependable third or fourth option while also offering value on special teams. I don't think it would be hard for him to duplicate or even improve upon Wilson's measly production from a year ago.
A move like this would also push Wilson. Perhaps the extra motivation gets him to where the team needs him to be. If it doesn't, you can move on and have a dependable veteran ingrained in the system to replace him.
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