If the Pittsburgh Steelers do find a replacement for Diontae Johnson, their former target-eating machine who was traded to the Panthers earlier in the NFL free agency season, it won't be local product and former Bengals WR Tyler Boyd, according to a report.
Boyd, who hasn't had fewer than 82 targets in a season since 2018, apparently isn't interested in the 2-year, $10 million offer The Athletic's Mark Kaboly reported the team offered.
The Steelers don't typically pay slot receivers much more than that. Allen Robinson was used in that capacity last season after being acquired via trade with the Rams, and perhaps not coincidentally, Robinson made $5 million in 2023, and was on the hook for $10 million in 2024 when the Steelers released him.
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Remaining wide receivers in free agency
The secondary wave of free agency typically hits after the NFL draft, which is scheduled to begin April 25. After teams sort through their new players, both drafted and undrafted, they have a better sense of the direction they wish to take.
Perhaps Boyd won't find a market better than a $5 million average per year, but at this point, odds are better he'd have a clear picture of what the market is valuing him at following the draft.
In the meantime, if the Steelers are still shopping, there are a few veterans who could fill a slot and/or z role.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham met with the Dolphins recently, with head coach Mike McDaniel saying they have an offer out to the veteran, who had 35 catches and 565 yards for Baltimore last season. It would seem Beckham, like Boyd, is waiting to see how the market materializes before signing anywhere.
Michael Thomas
The prolific but oft-injured receiver's tenure in New Orleans ended bitterly, by some accounts, with Thomas taking shots at several members of the franchise over his final two years. The NFL's single-season receptions record holder might still have something in the tank, and he's certainly not one who's afraid to prove himself.
Hunter Renfrow
The production of "Third and Renfrow" dropped as dramatically as his penchant for making timely catches in his collegiate career as well as the early part of his pro career. Former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels' offense did not give Renfrow much love, and his contract was an easy cut this offseason. Depending on how much the Steelers will utilize a slot receiver in the offense of new coordinator Arthur Smith, Renfrow could likely be had for a bargain.
Options in Round 1 of the NFL draft
It seems inevitable the Steelers will again lean on their ability to land quality talent in the draft at the position. While the Steelers haven't drafted a receiver in round 1 since Santonio Holmes in 2006, they've struck gold overall in other rounds.
Of course, there's Antonio Brown in the sixth back in 2010, but Emmanuel Sanders was landed in the third round of that draft. They've acquired George Pickens and Juju Smith-Schuster in the second round, Markus Wheaton in the third and Martavis Bryant in the fourth.
But the argument can be made in 2024 the first round is the right place to address one of the more glaring needs the team still has.
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
The 6-4, 205-pound Thomas, coming out of WR factory LSU, could be an all-depth, all-route kind of receiver. In a deep receiver class, it's possible he slips to 20, making him an excellent value pick, but certainly not a strong bet.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas
Mitchell likely fits best as an X receiver, or a split end, which would appear to be the role the Steelers expect Pickens to fill. But talent is talent, and Mitchell has loads of it. And he's an excellent route-runner to boot with just one drop throughout college.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
As Touchdown Wire's Doug Farrar says, don't label McConkey just as a "gritty slot guy." You'd be missing out. The Georgia product is an excellent route-runner with underrated athleticism. Smart enough to play inside, physically gifted enough to play outside. Most won't have him going that early, but the fit with the Steelers makes sense.
