After weeks of speculation regarding how the Pittsburgh Steelers would fill the void left by Diontae Johnson as their WR2, fans finally received an answer during the NFL Draft’s second day. The team opted for former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round, addressing one of their key roster concerns. However, it appears they explored alternative options during the draft process. Reports suggest they considered acquiring one of the veteran receivers previously linked to them. According to Jarrett Bailey of USA Today, the Steelers made inquiries to the Denver Broncos about former Pro Bowl receiver Courtland Sutton both before and during the draft.
Additionally, Bailey’s source mentioned the Los Angeles Rams also expressed interest in Sutton, but the Broncos were reluctant to trade him. Denver sees Sutton as a vital component of their offense, particularly with the potential synergy he could have with new quarterback Bo Nix.
Sutton’s Strong Run With the Broncos
Throughout his career with the Broncos, Courtland Sutton has been a reliable target for their offense, despite facing inconsistency in both quarterback play and coaching staff. In the six seasons since his draft, the Broncos have seen turnover with four different head coaches and nine starting quarterbacks.
Despite this instability, Sutton has amassed over 4,000 yards in five healthy seasons where he played more than one game, consistently reaching at least 700 yards each season. Despite his steady production, Sutton has been the subject of trade rumors in recent years, particularly after opting out of the Broncos’ voluntary workouts. Before the draft, there was speculation that the Steelers could be interested in acquiring Sutton, as suggested by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. However, with the Steelers addressing their need at the receiver position through the draft, Sutton’s future with the Broncos seems less uncertain.
WR Not a Necessity for the Steelers Anymore
Heading into the draft, the Steelers identified wide receiver as a significant need. While they had George Pickens as their primary option, the rest of their receiving corps lacked depth and production. Players like Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Calvin Austin struggled to surpass 250 receiving yards each last season.
The selection of Roman Wilson aims to address this deficiency. Before the draft, NFL.com’s Michelle Magdziuk highlighted Wilson as an ideal complement to Pickens, emphasizing his ability to create space and contribute in various aspects of the game. Now that Wilson is part of the Steelers’ roster, they shouldn’t feel compelled to pursue further additions at wide receiver. This likely removes them from any potential discussions regarding Courtland Sutton, as they’ve addressed their need at the position with the addition of Wilson.