The Pittsburgh Steelers have a daunting task in front of them: cutting the roster down to 53 players by 4pm EST on Tuesday. General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin will utilize the collective workload of each player on the roster based on training camp, offseason workouts, and most importantly, in-stadium performances, to confirm who will make the initial 53-man roster.
Of the cuts to be made, one of the more interesting positions continues to be at wide receiver. The Steelers have been in the mix all offseason to acquire a big-name player to pair with George Pickens, but have also done well in creating depth behind him. With all of these depth players on the roster, however, the question of the how effective the receivers remaining behind Pickens can be, specifically Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III, begs to be answered.
Several players may be deserving of the estimated two-three remaining spots available, pending another acquisition, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered his take on which Steelers receivers' will remain on the roster.
"The other two will come from Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick or someone who is claimed after cuts or obtained in a trade. Fitzpatrick might have earned a spot in Detroit with his 59-yard catch that set up a field goal."
The Steelers added Watkins, and Miller in free agency, while signing Fitzpatrick to a reserve/future contract in January of 2023. Though the three aren't household names, each bring something unique to the offense. However, with both Miller and Watkins struggling with consistency in the preseason, Fitzpatrick may have had the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself.
Fitzpatrick's' 59-yard reception against the Detroit Lions set the team up in prime field position in the third quarter, allowing the team to score its lone points in the second half. In his three preseason appearances, he has five receptions on five targets for 130 yards while flashing as a solid deep threat.
Based on Fitzpatrick's success on the field, and Millers' chemistry with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith (thanks to their time together with the Atlanta Falcons), it feels as though Watkins is the odd man out barring a player the Steelers can't say no to in the waiver pool on Tuesday.
Steelers Offense Has Done Well To Answer Questions This Preseason
The Steelers offense has taken major strides forward in each game played this preseason. Despite being 0-3 during this time, the black and gold have created an identity in running the football, averaging about 98 yards per game, and executing plays down the field with play action. The team may still have a need for a star receiver like Brandon Aiyuk, but the confidence in the current receiver room should be at an all-time high.
Offense has been a hot button topic this offseason in Pittsburgh and rightfully so. With the failure of production over the past few seasons, Smith was brought in to right the ship and create a new identity. The Steelers went into the offseason and didn't acquire flashy names, but brought in players who could be consistent contributors. The characteristic of consistency is the secret weapon in the Steel City for 2024.
With all the doubt that has revolved around who will be the Steelers number two receiver, players like Jefferson, Austin, and even Fitzpatrick have done well to do the job efficiently. All three have had good hands, and have worked well in being solid running mates to Pickens. If these players can continue to be difference makers, there are virtually no holes on offense.
The Steelers will continue to have an uphill battle in 2024, with questions galore that will be answered in the coming days. The team will have to name a starting quarterback, the team will ensure they have depth for the offensive line, and the team will prepare to play arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL. It's up to the team to play every game like they did in Detroit: consistently.
