Five Things to Know about New Steelers WR DK Metcalf
After search and searching, Pittsburgh Steelers generally manager Omar Khan finally got his guy. Just a short 362 days after the Pittsburgh Steelers general manager introduced a gaping hole into his lineup by trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, Khan filled it and then some, sending a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks to two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Steelers Now analyst Derrick Bell already broke down the player the Steelers are getting in the Metcalf trade, in his pre-trade analysis.
But what about the person beyond the Xs and Os matchups? Here’s five things you should know about new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf:
DK METCALF IS A SECOND-GENERATION NFL STAR
The Steelers have a thing for NFL bloodlines, with sets of brothers and the sons of former NFL players littering their locker room. Metcalf will be the next one
DK Metcalf — full name DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf, and born on Dec,. 14, 1997 in Oxford, Mississippi, is the son of Terrence Metcalf, who played in the NFL from 2002-08.
Terrence Metcalf was a 6-foot-4, 310-pound guard that was a third-round pick of the Chicago Bears out of Ole Miss in 2002. He played for seven seasons in Chicago, starting at both left and right guard. He spent time with the Detroit Lions in 2009 and New Orleans Saints in 2010, but never appeared in a regular season game for either team.
Terrence Metcalf got into coaching right after his career ended, first as a defensive line coach at Oxford High School, where DK played. After DK graduated, he moved on to become the offensive Eline coach and then assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at Pearl River High School. In 2022, he moved to Coahamoa High School, first as offensive line coach and then as head coach since 2023.
DK has his father’s size, but his speed might come from another part of the Metcalf family tree. Terrence Metcalf is a distant cousin of former Cleveland Browns running back, wide receiver and kick returner Eric Metcalf.
Eric Metcalf spent 13 seasons in the NFL from 1989-2002, most of them with the Cleveland Browns, where he was a major thorn in the side of the Steelers, a two-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time All-Pro.
Eric Metcalf’s father Terry was also an NFL running back from 1973-81 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
What does all that mean for the Steelers? Well probably not all that much. It’s not like a rookie where the Steelers are making a projection to the NFL. Metcalf has played six NFL seasons, recording 900 yards or more in each of them.
DK METCALF IS A FITNESS FREAK
Metcalf first gained serious national notoriety when shirtless photos of him and fellow Ole Miss wide receiver A.J. Brown circulated ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft. Metcalf checked in at 6-foot-3 3/8 and 228 pounds at the 2019 NFL Combine — with a body fat percentage of 1.9%.
That’s borderline unhealthy, and Metcalf, now 27, is certainly no longer that slender, but he still plays wide receiver with a bodybuilder’s mindset.
I interviewed Metcalf back at that combine, and asked him if he felt pressure to play as physical as he looks.
“Yeah, but I can incorporate a little finesse in my game, as well. So, I’m not worried about that.”
At that combine, Metcalf ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 22.7 mph, and posted outstanding numbers in the vertical jump (40.5), broad jump (11-foot-2) and bench press (27 reps). He strangely did poorly in the three-cone drill and the short shuttle, reducing his overall RAS to 9.66 out of 10.
Also at that combine, Metcalf had a formal meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They always seem to come back around to those.
DK METCALF’S TOP HIGHLIGHT IS A TACKLE
In six seasons with the Seahawks, Metcalf has scored 48 touchdowns and made numerous highlight-reel catches.
But the top highlight of his career might’ve been a defensive one. In a game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception to Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who caught the ball at the Arizona two-yard line.
With lots of green grass ahead of him, Baker took off toward the opposite end zone. Metcalf, who was away from where the ball was thrown, started out several yards away and running in the wrong direction to make a play.
He turned toward Baker, and turned on the jets. Ninety-five yards later, Metcalf finally caught him from behind and made a touchdown-saving tackle. According to NFL Next Gen stats, he reached a top speed of 22.6 mph.
DK METCALF IS ONE OF THE MOST-PENALIZED WRS IN THE NFL
When you’re as big, fast and strong as Metcalf, it’s hard to keep eyes off you, and the physical wide receiver has gotten his hand caught in the cookie jar more than once.
This past season, he was penalized five times — tied for the fourth-most among wide receivers — and had one declined and one offset. He also had five penalties, with one declined and two offsetting in 2023, and seven to tie for the WR lead in 2022, with yet another offsetting.
His fouls have been all over the place over the last three years:
Offensive pass interference (6)
Holding (5)
Unsportsmanlike conduct (2)
Taunting (2)
Unnecessary roughness (2)
Blindside block (1)|
Ejection (1)
Face mask (1)
DK METCALF CAN BALL
DK Metcalf played basketball as well as football at Oxford High School, and he still has some basketball skills to show for it. Metcalf participated in the 2023 NBA All-Star Celebrity game, and he took home MVP honors, with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and some thunderous dunks.
Metcalf believes he could have played in the NBA.
“I say I could play in the league and get 10 points,” Metcalf said to Kevin Garnett on his podcast in 2023. “Just from hustling. I’mma run all day. I can run the court.”