Explosive New Steelers WR Looks to Emerge as Playmaker

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers reworked the depth of the wide receiver position this past week after Hakeem Butler and Cody White suffered injuries, forcing the team to waive/injured both. They signed Aron Cruickshank, an undrafted wide receiver out of Rutgers with a unique profile. Cruickshank never eclipsed more than 385 receiving yards in his college career. At Rutgers pro day, he ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. Yet, the receiver got multiple tryouts through training camps after being released by the Chicago Bears on August 11th, finally inking a deal with Pittsburgh two weeks later.

The intrigue? Cruickshank’s athletic profile reveals an attractive all-around athlete. Cruickshank is a player with fantastic quickness, above-average explosiveness, and an odd 40-time that indicates that actual speed is there, given his 10-yard and 20-yard splits.

Aron Cruickshank is a WR prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 6.64 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1031 out of 3062 WR from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/E9NYBtYhln #Bears pic.twitter.com/RkB214NCkH

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2023

More than that, his uber-productive kick return stats are a rarity in the NFL Draft. Over his career, Cruickshank has four kick return touchdowns and over 2,500 yards on the returns. Not just that, in 2021, Cruickshank notched a punt return touchdown. In other words, Cruickshank has proven ability to be dangerous on special teams, more so than most players in this past draft class. Still, Cruickshank has a quiet but fierce demeanor to his game. Cruickshank says the credit goes to his teammates who helped him get those returns.

“It would be everything you said that allowed me to get those touchdowns (speed, elusiveness, vision, quickness), but it’s the guys that were blocking for me, too,” Cruickshank said. “On those teams, I had guys that loved me and did the job. I told them to give me two seconds, and I can do the rest; I must shout out them guys.”

In his career, Cruickshank’s usage developed from a pure returner into a receiver with manufactured touches. That manifested itself not just in the passing game with screens but in the running game. With Matt Canada’s jet sweeps on offense, Cruickshank could have fascinating versatility as a gadget weapon.

The mentality that has allowed Cruickshank to improve his game is hidden in the chip on his shoulder. However, Cruickshank has a new chip after receiving his papers from the Bears. Now, the undrafted rookie works to improve daily instead of looking at the big picture. The Steelers liked Cruickshank enough to give him another NFL shot, and Cruickshank views that as his opportunity through the door to make a statement.

“This is not my first club anymore,” Cruickshank said. “Of course, I have a massive chip on my shoulder. I have to have one.”

Cruickshank remains a fringe roster player. He took the field for his first practice with the team on Monday. Three days later, he will suit up for an opportunity to make noise in the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. With the wide receiver room open for practice squad spots, Cruickshank can stick even after cuts. The Steelers still do not have guys that magically seem destined for the practice squad at wide receiver other than Dez Fitzpatrick. It is a position they often keep two or three guys at on their practice squad.

Cruickshank has the ability to stick there. As a receiver, he feels he is starting to grow into his own game. 2022 was the most productive year of his career as an offensive weapon. He needs to embrace his skill set as an elusive player who can create chunk plays to stick, but Cruickshank knows his strengths, and that is where he sees his path to sticking around in Pittsburgh.