When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, it felt a little anti-climactic given the Steelers need at wide receiver.
There were wide receivers still on the board who were projected to be just as good and were bigger and more natural to line up on the outside. Players like Jalen McMillan, Luke McCaffrey, Troy Franklin and Javon Baker all come to mind.
But the Steelers saw something in Wilson and we think we know what and it could be enough to get him on the field early.
It’s his effort.
The Steelers had to slog through Diontae Johnson and George Pickens and their on-field tantrums last season which resulted in poor effort and failed plays. Johnson’s were bad enough the Steelers traded him but let’s not act like Pickens doesn’t have that same potential.
All you have to do is go back and watch the effort Wilson plays every play with to understand what he brings in the run game. Michigan wasn’t shy about running the football and Wilson was a key blocker despite his lack of size.
Pittsburgh’s new offense under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is going to be run-heavy and this alone will get Wilson reps in the slot over guys like Quez Watkins and Calvin Austin III.
