4 best replacements for Diontae Johnson on the Steelers

3. Mike Williams, Free Agency

There aren't many remaining free-agent wide receivers that make sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their new wide-zone offense, but Mike Williams is one of them. Williams spent all seven NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he recently became a salary cap casualty. Now the savvy veteran is looking for a new home.

Interestingly, the Steelers have expressed interest in Williams, and this one feels like a great fit. Though Williams and Pickens seem to overlap in many ways when it comes to their skill sets, Williams is a far more polished and experienced version of what Pittsburgh has in Pickens. This includes two 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2021.

Unfortunately, Williams was bitten by the injury bug since coming into the NFL and he has played a full season just twice in seven years. This is a bit concerning -- especially after playing in just 3 games in 2023 -- but it could drive the asking price down.

Mike Williams' veteran leadership and experience would be a welcome addition to a Steelers wide receiver room lacking in this department. Signing Williams would also allow Pittsburgh to go in a different direction early in the NFL Draft. Williams won't be the cheapest option in free agency, but he makes a lot of sense for a team that is expected to deploy Russell Wilson at quarterback in 2024.