We're just days into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, but practice sessions have already taught us a great deal about where players will be lining up this year and who could be seeing a bulk of the action. When it came to the wide receiver room, fans had plenty of questions entering camp. Now those questions are quickly being answered.
When the Steelers signed veteran Robert Woods, some assumed he would get an early nod with the starting unit in training camp, thanks to having a dozen years of NFL experience under his belt. But this won't be the case. We just got our first look at Pittsburgh's starting receivers, and this is just what we hoped for.
Early in training camp, when the Steelers are in 12 personnel, DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III are the starting wide receivers. When the team is in 11 personnel, Roman Wilson and Metcalf are the starting receivers on the outside, with Austin working the slot.
Some speculated that Wilson would be pegged as a slot receiver, as he did his best work from the slot for a championship Michigan team in 2023 before declaring for the NFL Draft. However, this would have left the Steelers quite the dilemma—playing a 5'7 3/4'', 170-pound Calvin Austin on the outside.
Wilson, on the other hand, stands at 5'10 3/4'' and weighs 185 pounds. Though this size difference may seem like small potatoes, it makes all the difference on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans can be thankful that Roman Wilson is a starting WR in 11-personnel
The early signs at Steelers training camp point to Roman Wilson being a starting receiver when Pittsburgh's offense is in 11 personnel (three-receiver sets), and this is exactly what fans wanted to see. Wilson was a Day 2 draft investment, the youngest wide receiver projected to make the team and the one who offers hope of a future next to DK Metcalf.
While we are certainly rooting for Calvin Austin to have a massive season, the former fourth-round pick is in a contract year and is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025 season. Even if he breaks out, the Steelers may not be able to retain him beyond this year.
Additionally, Austin is always going to have some limitations because of his size (it's sad, but true). Being at a severe size disadvantage against outside cornerbacks will likely limit Austin to being a slot receiver and punt returner for his whole NFL career.
Wilson, however, has enough size to operate as an outside receiver (he's taller than Antonio Brown and weighed about the same entering the NFL). The 24-year-old also possesses 4.39 speed and soft hands. If he can figure it out, there's a chance he could develop into a true No. 2 wide receiver for the Steelers. Meanwhile, Wilson still has three years remaining on his rookie contract.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could always decide to add another veteran wide receiver to the mix if things go south, but this is the exact wide receiver lineup and personnel grouping many fans were rooting for. Let's hope Roman Wilson takes advantage of all the opportunities coming his way.