Roman Wilson's progress could be huge development for Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Progress of young WR could be huge development for Steelers offense

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Aug 17, 2025 7:56 PM ET

Even though the names of the players on the roster have changed, the Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room is facing the same big question it did a year ago. It is a question of depth.

Going into both seasons, they had a very good No. 1 wide receiver (George Pickens a year ago; DK Metcalf this season) and then a lot of uncertainty over who the No. 2 wide receiver would be and if they had enough talent to piece together a solid depth chart.

While they could still potentially be in the market for another veteran addition, the emergence of second-year player Roman Wilson this preseason has been one of the biggest early-season developments for the Steelers offense.

The Steelers selected Wilson in the third round (No. 84 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, but did not get anything out of him during his rookie season due to injury. He appeared in just one game and did not receive a single target. It was the NFL equivalent of a redshirt season.

That seems to be rapidly changing this preseason.

Not only is Wilson healthy, but he is starting to emerge as a legitimate target in their passing game and has flashed big-time potential in each of the team's first two preseason games.

In their first preseason game against Jacksonville, he caught two passes for 24 yards (including a 19-yard reception), and followed that up with a two-catch, 72-yard performance against Tampa Bay on Saturday.

That included a 42-yard catch from Mason Rudolph, where he showed his ability to get downfield.

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He also demonstrated his ability to get open over the middle later in the game for a 30-yard reception from Skylar Thompson.

Wilson has the potential to be a real X-factor in the Steelers' passing game.

Even though Metcalf is new to the offense, he is a proven veteran, and there should be some expectation as to what he can do. They know they have at least one good option. They also have a very deep group of tight ends with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington on their depth chart. But they still need another wide receiver to emerge and take some of the pressure and attention away from Metcalf.

Wilson doesn't have big-time size (5-10, 186 pounds), but he ran a 4.3 40 at the combine, is a willing blocker and can line up both outside and in the slot. There is serious potential with him, and he is finally starting to show it after what was a lost rookie season.

If he can keep building on this preseason performance, it will give quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense a much-needed playmaker. He is certainly off to a promising start.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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