Steelers free agency primer: Wide receiver
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe NFL offseason is here, and while it's easy to skip straight to the draft madness, another important roster-building event is even closer: free agency. Ahead of legal tampering opening on March 9, BTSC will be putting together lists of the top names at some of Pittsburgh's top position groups of need in the upcoming class.
We'll start off with the wide receivers. The names are not listed in any particular order.
George Pickens, Cowboys
Pickens is the highlight of the wide receiver class this year, and maybe all of free agency in general. The 24-year-old turned into a superstar in his first year in Dallas, putting up 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 receptions en route to a second-team All-Pro nod.
With the Cowboys, Pickens was the maximized version of the upside he showed with the Steelers to start his career: unreal body control, incredible hands, and elite big play ability.
SPIN MOVE. HURDLE. GEORGE PICKENS IS RIDICULOUS
- NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2025
KCvsDAL on CBS/Paramount+
Also streaming on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/dTiQOamgY8
Does any of this matter for Pittsburgh now? Not really. It looks like Pickens will stay in Dallas for at least another year on the franchise tag, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. But even if he does hit the open market, the odds of him returning to the team that purposefully moved on from him last offseason is next to zero. However, he's going to get paid by someone as a true WR1.
Alec Pierce, Colts
With Pickens off the board for Pittsburgh, and possibly the entire NFL, Pierce is the next biggest fish in the wide receiver market. He also enjoyed a breakout year in 2025 as the newfound focal point of the Colts' passing game, with 1,003 yards on just 47 catches (21.3-yard average) and six touchdowns.
Pierce is a size-speed freak (4.41-second 40-yard dash, 6'3, 211 pounds) with excellent contested catch ability. He's also just 25. While he's still not a completely polished player and doesn't have the most well-rounded route tree, his tools are WR1-worthy and he now has proven NFL production.
103 seconds of Alec Pierce being good at football pic.twitter.com/oldNuTgbIV
- Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 20, 2025
Pierce could be on the Steelers' radar, but he won't be cheap. There's also a chance the Colts decide to keep one of the biggest contributors to their breakout 2025 offense around long term. He reminds me of a what could've been" version of Chase Claypool.
Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks
A midseason trade target in 2025 who many saw as a strong option for the Steelers, Shahid ended up going from the Saints to the Seahawks, where he provided an injection of speed on offense and special teams that helped push Seattle towards a Super Bowl victory.
Despite switching teams, Shaheed enjoyed the second-best year of his young career in 2025, logging 687 receiving yards on 59 receptions. He had two receiving touchdowns and another two as a return man.
Many deadline trades don't work out. Then there's the Seahawks' trade for Rashid Shaheed. pic.twitter.com/G9YYko9MrH
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2026
Shaheed, 27, is on the smaller side at 6'0, 180 pounds, but he's a legitimate deep threat who developed into a solid all-around receiver while in New Orleans. He didn't break out in the Seattle offense, but he also joined the team late on a roster with several established pieces already (namely, Jaxon Smith-Njigba).
Shaheed's market is tricky. He appears to have what it takes to be a good WR2, but he doesn't have the high-end production of many of the other names on this list (his best season had 719 receiving yards). Still, he's young, and the special teams value can't be understated.
Like Pierce and Pickens, there's questions as to whether Shaheed will even hit the open market. Seattle moved fourth and fifth-round draft picks to acquire him last year - a decent investment - and Shaheed was a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl run.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Now 32 years old and coming off an injury-plagued 2025 (hamstring, concussion, broken clavicle), Evans isn't the superstar wide receiver he used to be. But if he does hit the open market, he could still be a great player if he stays healthy and is given the right opportunities.
Even though he's now seen as a risky signing, Evans has been the model of consistency over his career, with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons through 2024. But even late in 2025, the long-striding receiver was still getting open and making plenty of plays, and his above-the-rim skill set shouldn't disappear anytime soon.
Mike Evans outbreaker vs. DaRon Bland pic.twitter.com/It9cfEvoEV
- Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) May 27, 2025
For the Steelers, who are likely looking for long-term pieces on offense, Evans doesn't make a ton of sense. But I'm still incredibly bullish on his 2025 if he lands in a passing offense that just needs another piece. Evans is still a difference maker at his position, even if that might not be true much longer. He might be one of the more underrated names in this year's class.
Romeo Doubs, Packers
In a crowded Packers wide receiver room, it looks highly possible that Doubs will hit the free agent market despite looking like the best of the group for stretches of his career. The 6'2, 204-pound pass catcher is 25 and coming off a 55-catch, 724-yard, six-touchdown season in 2025.
Romeo Doubs pic.twitter.com/AZUA5mTZsK
- Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 19, 2026
Doubs has steadily improved over his NFL career and developed into a competent starter. Easily recognizable in his yellow guardian cap, Doubs is a competent all-rounder, succeeding as an X receiver with the Packers but with the quickness to excel as a Z. He has a varied route tree, but a lack of any standout traits (and inconsistent hands) could limit his market.
It is worth noting for a Steelers team that has historically had some drama with its wide receivers: Doubs was suspended for one game by the Packers in 2024 after he missed two days of practice.
Jauan Jennings, 49ers
Once a role player in a loaded 49ers offense, Jennings has finished as San Francisco's leading wide receiver the last two years even if he's still searching for his first 1,000-yard season. At 6'3, 212 pounds, he's a sturdy blocker and possession receiver with the long-striding running style and elite play strength to make downfield catches.
Jauan Jennings pic.twitter.com/jxYwO8Jqiq
- Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 28, 2026
Jennings, 28, isn't a burner and has benefited from an expertly-schemed Kyle Shanahan offense. But he's still a smooth, savvy athlete who gets open, and his contested catch ability makes up for the rest. Jennings played through injuries last season but has been highly available over his career, averaging 15 games per season over his time in the NFL. Like Doubs, he doesn't look the part of a true WR1, but has proven he can handle a number of different receiver roles in an offense.
Deebo Samuel, Commanders
Samuel was in many ways an afterthought after being traded to the Washington Commanders for the 2025 season, but he showed he still had gas left in the tank with a 727-yard, five-touchdown season on 72 catches over 16 games. Recently turned 30 years old, he still could be a contributor on an NFL offense even if his playing style doesn't translate the best to holding off Father Time.
Samuel's calling card has long been his stocky, running back-like build, and elite yards after catch ability. His game has declined in recent years, but he's still fairly quick even if his route tree was largely limited to the quick game in 2025. He's not much of a downfield threat and his hands are inconsistent.
Deebo Samuel: pic.twitter.com/Vkzedp0qRX
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 25, 2025
Samuel isn't the ideal addition to the Steelers' wide receiver room in 2026, but in a scenario where Aaron Rodgers returns and Kenneth Gainwell does not, Samuel could fill in a similar role for the veteran quarterback, where the short passing game becomes an extension of the run game.
Other names
Samuel rounds out the list of featured names in this article, but there are far more receivers worth keeping an eye on as free agency approaches. Jalen Nailor (Vikings) and Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys) are both high-end WR3 types who've had success playing under members of the Steelers' new coaching staff. Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk burned the Steelers in the playoffs this year, and Pittsburgh nearly traded for him in 2024. San Francisco's Brandon Aiyuk, another former Steelers trade target, is also expected to become available, but his NFL future is in doubt following an offseason of concerning actions.
61 yards with some stiff arms for Jalen Nailor!
- NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
BALvsMIN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVntpic.twitter.com/9zSE12OqME
You can view Spotrac's full list of upcoming free agent wide receivers here. Remember that some can, and will, re-sign with their teams before legal tampering opens in March.
As for the Steelers, wide receivers Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are all set to hit the market. Adam Thielen would be as well, but he retired following the season.
What are your thoughts on this year's free agent wide receiver class? Should the Steelers pursue any names? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!