Steelers WR Depth Chart: Van Jefferson To Battle For No. 2 WR In Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made numerous moves this offseason to revamp their sluggish offense.

They hired Arthur Smith to be the new offensive coordinator after letting Matt Canada go midseason last year.

They signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal to become the new starting QB in 2024.

Pittsburgh traded for QB Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears to backup Wilson.

The Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu in the first round to be a starting offensive tackle and then in round two, they drafted Zach Frazier to be the day one starting center.

Pittsburgh’s offense has been putrid for a few years and they are hoping all these moves can help revitalize the offense.

George Pickens is the clear number one WR for the Steelers.

They drafted WR Roman Wilson in the third round to be the starting slot WR.

However, they do not have a bona fide number two WR to line up on the outside.

Below, we will discuss the options the Steelers have to be the number two WR on the outside.

Who Will Be The Number Two WR Behind George Pickens?

Here is the list of WRs currently on the Steelers’ roster.

• George Pickens
• Roman Wilson
• Van Jefferson
• Calvin Austin
• Quez Watkins
• Scotty Miller
• Denzel Mims
• Dez Fitzpatrick
• Marquez Callaway
• Deuce Watts
• Keilahn Harris

This is a long list and the Steelers will surely cut some of these WRs before the season starts.

Dez Fitzpatrick, Marquez Callaway, Deuce Watts, and Keilahn Harris are all likely cut candidates before the season begins.

George Pickens is the number one WR and Roman Wilson will be the slot WR for the Steelers.

Calvin Austin is too small to play on the outside.

Austin will be utilized as a slot WR along with Wilson and as a gadget player.

This leaves a battle for the number two outside WR position between Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, and Denzel Mims.

Van Jefferson Should Have Edge On Number Two Outside WR Position

Out of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, and Denzel Mims, Jefferson has the upper hand and should win the number two outside WR spot.

Jefferson is 6’1” and has the build to play outside.

He is a second-round WR and will be 28 years old when the season begins.

He has been the more proven WR of the bunch playing with the Rams and last season being in Arthur Smith’s offense in Atlanta.

He did not have a lot of success last year in Atlanta but to be fair, Atlanta’s pass attack was lackluster.

In 2021, Jefferson had 50 receptions, 802 receiving yards, and six TDs, proving he can be a reliable option.

Jefferson knows Smith’s offensive scheme from last year, which will help him in 2024, and with Wilson under center, he has a better QB throwing him the ball.

Besides last year with Atlanta, Jefferson has averaged 11.6 yards per reception or better, showing he is a good deep ball threat as well.

Wilson is still capable of throwing a nice deep ball, and with the Steelers using more play action this year under Smith, the opportunities for Jefferson to thrive will be there.

In his best season, which came in 2021, Jefferson averaged 16.0 yards per reception.

Van Jefferson should easily win the number two outside WR spot and he has a chance to put up his best numbers yet in 2024.