Bell: Ranking Top Wide Receivers on Steelers 2024 Schedule
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to make a postseason run, they’ll need to do it on the back of their talented defense. We’ve already discussed the top quarterbacks on the schedule but there are a plethora of ridiculously dynamic wide receivers on the schedule as well. The Steelers’ secondary will look quite a bit different this season, with Donte Jackson the likely starter on the outside while Cam Sutton also returns to the mix once his suspension is lifted midseason.
Of course, Joey Porter Jr. will undoubtedly play a significant role in slowing down opposing team’s top targets. Now heading into his sophomore campaign, it’s reasonable to expect him to shadow number one options yet again after having so much success doing so last year. Porter’s rookie season still feels a bit underrated but having a uniquely competitive corner to potentially shut down one side of the field is a blessing that not every defensive coordinator receives. Today, we’ll rank the most difficult challenges that he and the rest of the group will face once the fall rolls around.
5. Jets WR Garrett Wilson
It’s difficult to place Garrett Wilson near the top of receiver lists right now because his production, while good, isn’t quantifiably elite. However, there are some pretty obvious reasons why that has been the case, specifically horrific quarterback play in an uninspiring offensive ecosystem. Wilson’s a dynamic athlete with rare change of direction skills, both as a route runner and after the catch in space. We know Porter’s specialty is using his length and physicality in press, but Wilson’s shiftiness and comprehensive release package make him a difficult cover in this regard. Even a diminished version of Aaron Rodgers will give him the best passer he’s ever played with at the NFL level and someone that could be in for a special season.
4. Raiders WR Davante Adams
Though he’ll be heading into his age-32 season, Davante Adams is still a force to be reckoned with and a playmaker that can be rarely left single covered. Adams is a deceptive route runner who makes everything look the same, until it’s not. Where he really stands out is his ability to display late hands at the catch point, hauling in passes over his shoulder without giving the defender a chance to swipe away at the ball. Adams went berserk against the Steelers last season, racking up 172 yards and two touchdowns but that was before Porter was inserted into the starting lineup. He needs five touchdown grabs to become the ninth wideout in NFL history to accumulate 100 in their careers but here’s hoping Pittsburgh fares better against him in 2024.
3. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb
2023 was the official breakout season for the former first-round selection after he dominated from start to finish in the regular season, leading the entire NFL in catches on his way to first-team All Pro honors. The thing that makes Lamb so dangerous is that Dallas will deploy him both as a power slot inside and as a true X-receiver outside. Because he’s equally effective in both roles, it allows their offense to take advantage of weaknesses in opposing defenses on a weekly basis. With Porter’s size and length, a real deterrent the closer he aligns to the sideline, it would surprise me a tad if the Cowboys didn’t try to align him more inside when they play the Steelers this season. Lamb is a detailed technician who thrives on curls/comebacks and is store for another monster year.
2. Eagles WR A.J. Brown
The A.J. Brown trade is one of the most influence transactions in the current decade with him helping Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl while Tennessee cleaned house shortly after their decision to deal him away. We always knew that Brown’s pure strength and run after catch ability made him dangerous on slants and underneath targets. Since his transition up north, we’ve seen him used more on go-balls and downfield shot plays and as it turns out, he’s quite awesome in that role as well. Porter’s physicality will hopefully come in handy this season so that Brown doesn’t erupt in the same manner that he two years ago in a matchup that turned into a blowout quickly. This is a player that you can run entire passing attack through and reap the rewards for doing so.
1. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase
When Ja’Marr Chase is fully healthy with Joe Burrow at quarterback, it’s hard to find anyone who is more explosive and a threat to score from any part on the field. With his straight-line speed and absurd acceleration, he can blow by pretty much anyone on the outside. Cincinnati has been more intentional about getting him quick touches to get the ball in his hands because he’s so slippery in the open field and can turn dump offs into massive gains. In their lone matchup against one another last year, the battle between Porter and Chase didn’t have a distinct winner on either side but if we’re lucky enough, this will be an electric showdown for years to come. Given the layout of the Steelers schedule, it will be a few months until we see this duel take place but it should be worth the wait.
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