Calls for the Steelers to Target a $12.4 Million Wide Receiver Following a -Career Best Season

Since Diontae Johnson was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL’s permitted tampering period, the team is lacking a wide receiver. The good news is that there are still a number of experienced wide receivers available on the NFL free agency market, including Josh Reynolds, who just had what may be his greatest season to date.

Joe Clark of Steelers Depot and Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now both included Reynolds among the possible free agents Pittsburgh ought to sign next.

Clark stated, “The former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions would be an ideal fit for the Steelers.” “Reynolds could play outside, and even if he might not be a real No. 2, the Steelers are unlikely to find a player with Johnson’s level of versatility in free agency.

The signing of Reynolds would be the one that most excites me among all the available free agents.

It’s likely true that most NFL teams don’t think the former fourth-round pick makes a good number-two wide receiver. Clark is right. However, in 2023, he was a member of the second-best passing offense in the league.

Reynolds had a 40 catches for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns with the Lions the previous year. In all three categories, he ranked second among all Detroit receivers.

None of those totals were new career highs for Reynolds. His 608 receiving yards, nevertheless, are a record high since 2020. For the first time since 2019, he also averaged over 15 yards per reception, and his five touchdowns tied a career high.

By 2023,

Reynolds surpassed 600 yards in 2023, averaging over 15 yards per reception, and recording five touchdowns for the first time in his professional career.

How the Steelers Could Use Josh Reynolds
Reynolds wouldn’t be Johnson’s exact replacement, as Clark pointed out. However, Reynolds would provide offensive skills to Pittsburgh’s lineup that Johnson did not, including blocking.

In 2023, Reynolds recorded a career-high 70.3 run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. He was frequently used in that capacity by the Lions as well. Reynolds blocked for Detroit’s rushing game on 395 snaps last season, according to PFF numbers.

The Steelers traded for Johnson this offseason and also cut veteran receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson blocked 350 snaps in Pittsburgh’s running game in 2023, according to PFF.

The Steelers traded for Johnson this offseason and also cut veteran receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson blocked 350 snaps in Pittsburgh’s running game in 2023, according to PFF. Robinson’s run blocking grade from PFF’s 2017 campaign was 57.8.

The Steelers could more easily replace Johnson and Robinson if they signed Reynolds. In terms of blocking, Reynolds would improve the Pittsburgh run game. The seasoned receiver might also be the Steelers’ deep and immediate target in the passing game.

Reynolds played in 38 games over the course of three seasons with the Lions, recording 97 receptions for 1,393 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Reynolds has played for the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams in his seven-year career. He has 220 catches, 2,933 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns in 107 NFL games.

Additional Wide Receiver Free Agent Goals for the Steelers
Reynolds is the 14th-best wide receiver available in free agency this offseason, according to PFF. Reynolds is one of the best unsigned players in that bunch.

That does not, however, imply that the Steelers are without alternatives. The Steelers should definitely target former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd as a free agency.

On March 13, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic stated that Boyd, a native of Pittsburgh, is of interest to both the Steelers and the team. Although Boyd is more of a slot receiver, he has had two seasons with 1,000 yards or more in the NFL.

Former All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas was connected to the Steelers by PFF’s Brad Spielberger in January.

The Steelers might also choose to seek a free agent at a lower grade level and then make another addition at the position early in the 2024 NFL draft.