PITTSBURGH — If the Pittsburgh Steelers defense continues its dominant performance as seen against the Indianapolis Colts, the team may not need to worry about acquiring a player like Jakobi Meyers. The defense”s ability to force turnovers could allow them to rely solely on kicker Chris Boswell for scoring opportunities. However, if the Steelers” defense, currently ranked 30th, reverts to its previous form, or simply falls short of its recent high, the absence of a reliable receiver could be felt.
Meyers recently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a price that, while slightly above expectations, was not prohibitive. The former Las Vegas Raiders receiver achieved over 1,000 yards last season, managed to catch every pass thrown his way, and would have complemented Aaron Rodgers effectively.
The Jaguars acquired Meyers for fourth- and sixth-round draft picks, suggesting that the Steelers could have secured him for a fourth and a fifth-round pick. Despite this, several arguments against the move have been presented:
- The Steelers” tight end-focused offense limits the use of multiple receivers.
- The cost of acquiring a rental player was deemed too high given the Steelers” draft strategy aimed at securing a quarterback in the near future.
- The offense has not been the primary issue for the team.
Addressing these points individually, it could be argued that the offense may not utilize more receiver-heavy formations because it lacks depth at the position. The addition of a dependable receiver like Meyers, who can operate both outside and inside, might have provided crucial support when needed, especially in high-stakes matchups.
The Steelers have a wealth of draft picks next year, with a total of 12 selections. Trading away a fourth and a fifth-round pick should not have jeopardized their plans to pursue a quarterback.
While the offense has been more consistent than the defense, it”s essential to recognize that the Steelers are not among the elite teams. Currently, they sit at 28th in total offense and 13th in scoring, with their scoring numbers heavily influenced by defensive turnovers. If the offense is indeed a strength this season, enhancing it with an additional weapon for Rodgers should have been a priority.
In the upcoming schedule, the Steelers will face formidable quarterbacks such as Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Joe Flacco, and Lamar Jackson twice over the final nine games. Should they reach the playoffs, they will encounter only elite quarterbacks. At some point, they will need to increase their scoring output.
Former NFL player Bucky Brooks described Meyers as a “savvy pass-catcher with the IQ, awareness, and instincts to thrive as a complementary pass-catcher in a versatile, ball-controlled passing game.” This contrasts sharply with recent Steelers addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who, while possessing a history with Rodgers and a potential for deep plays, is currently viewed as a practice squad player by head coach Mike Tomlin.
Meyers may not have been a game-breaking player, but a more impactful choice could have been Rashid Shaheed, who recently moved from New Orleans to Seattle for fourth- and fifth-round picks. Shaheed has proven to be a threat despite inconsistent quarterback play, exemplified by a remarkable 87-yard touchdown run.
The AFC landscape remains wide open, with no clear dominant team emerging. Presently, the Kansas City Chiefs would not qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today. In previous years, it would have been hard to envision the Steelers defeating a top team in a playoff setting. However, this year presents a different opportunity. They are in contention and could have strengthened their position recently.
