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Can Roman Wilson Take a Big Leap in Year 2?
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- Can Roman Wilson Take a Big Leap in Year 2?
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Roman Wilson at practice on Wednesday, Sept 19, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in need of another wide receiver after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in May. Could the Steelers' answer at the No. 2 wide receiver position already be on the roster, though? Roman Wilson could be primed for a breakout year after an injury-riddled rookie campaign.
Pro Football Network has Wilson tabbed as the Steelers' top Comeback Player of the Year Contender.
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"The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for DK Metcalf and shipped away George Pickens this offseason. The rest of the wide receiver room is suspect, which leaves an opportunity for Wilson to break out if he can stay healthy. Keep an eye on him as a deep sleeper going into 2025," PFN wrote.
Steelers veteran long snapper Christian Kuntz believes fans are sleeping on Wilson.
"Everyone's forgetting about Roman [Wilson]. Like Roman had a bad ankle injury, dude. It sucked," Kuntz said on The Christian Kuntz Podcast . "As a receiver, planting and stuff, that's a hard injury to come back from."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson at practice on June 3, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Wilson suffered a high ankle sprain in the first week of training camp that he was never able to fully work his way back from.
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"It was a hip drop tackle. It was an accident in training camp. We were in a live period, guys are competing and it happened," Kuntz said. "I twisted my ankle two years ago, three years ago. I got rolled up on. I thought my whole leg went in half. I thought I broke my leg, and thankfully, it was just my ankle."
Wilson finally got back onto the field halfway through the season and even received some in-game action. But he then suffered another setback , which forced him to shut down his rookie year.
It was quite disappointing since there was a lot of excitement surrounding Wilson as Pittsburgh's third-round pick (No. 84) in the 2024 NFL Draft. He recorded a career-high 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year at Michigan.
Pro Football Focus also believes Wilson is bound to make a big leap in Year 2.
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"In his final season at Michigan in 2023, Wilson accounted for 48 receptions, 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. He displayed strong hands (just one drop) and big-play ability, catching 12 passes 20-plus yards downfield. Moving forward, Wilson has an opportunity to step up into a bigger role. With George Pickens being traded to Dallas, Pittsburgh has very little depth at wide receiver behind recently acquired D.K. Metcalf, and the team will need his production to contend in a tough AFC North division," Ryan Smith of PFF wrote .
Steelers veteran wide receiver Robert Woods is confident that Wilson will bounce back after facing adversity in his rookie campaign.
"Coming to work ready to work," Woods said of Wilson last week at OTAs. "Coming out here, you see he's fast and skillful, but when you see his approach, taking the details to improve his game. He had a great week this week. He had some big, explosive plays. Just give him confidence. He's a confident player, being able to make his plays, be himself and get the ball in his hands. I think when you give confidence to our whole room, sky's the limit."
Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Can Roman Wilson Take a Big Leap in Year 2?
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