Free agent WRs Steelers should target with Odell Beckham Jr. off the board

Following the 2024 NFL Draft, one of the positions the Pittsburgh Steelers obviously still needed to address was at wide receiver.

Friday, the market saw one of the top available free agents taken off by the Miami Dolphins, as they signed Odell Beckham Jr. to team up with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

The Steelers' wide receiver room currently consists of George Pickens, rookie Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Denzel Mims, Quez Watkins and Calvin Austin as the top six. Clearly, there is a need for more talent.

The Steelers should act quickly as the free agent market is drying up

Who is still out there for the Steelers to sign?

Zay Jones

Maybe the best-available free agent wide receiver is former Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Zay Jones. Last year, injuries played a part in Jones' down season. But, over the course of the 2022 campaign, Jones saw a career-high 121 targets, coming up with 82 receptions for 823 yards (also both career highs) and five touchdowns.

The 29-year-old would likely come fairly cheap, too, and could step right into a WR2 or WR3 role in Pittsburgh.

Hunter Renfrow

With Roman Wilson projected to be a slot wide receiver in Pittsburgh, it shouldn't be out of the question for the Steelers to pursue Hunter Renfrow. Wilson was the no. 1 wideout at Michigan and could still play some on the outside, whereas Renfrow fits best in the slot.

People seem to forget that Renfrow was once a Pro Bowler not too long ago (2021 season) after a season that saw him catch 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. When the Raiders signed Jakobi Meyers, Renfrow's role diminished. But, he's still an effective slot receiver who gets open and has great hands. He'd also be one who could come in and carve out a significant role, right away.

Michael Thomas

Now, we come to a couple of guys who have giant question marks. The latter half of Michael Thomas' career has been decimated by injuries and the way things ended in New Orleans wasn't exactly a positive. But, Thomas is a former All Pro who made a living eating up targets left and right. If he's healthy and willing to step into a WR3 type of role, Thomas could be a valuable addition.

Russell Gage

After missing the entire 2023 season due to injury, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage is looking for his next home. Another "if healthy" type of situation, Gage is younger than Thomas by three years and presents the Steelers with an outside option. Before joining the Bucs as their third option, Gage topped 700 receiving yards two years in a row with the Falcons.