Roman Wilson Poised for Breakout Second Season with Steelers

Coming into 2025, Roman Wilson finds himself in a completely different situation than his injury-riddled rookie campaign. The second-year Pittsburgh Steelers receiver is finally healthy and has caught the attention of coaching staff with impressive preseason performances. After being limited to just 6 snaps in 2024 due to ankle and hamstring injuries, Wilson is positioned to capitalize on an opportunity-rich receiving corps that features question marks beyond DK Metcalf.

The most significant development has been Wilson's recent preseason showing, where he hauled in 2 catches for 72 yards on 4 targets against Tampa Bay, including explosive plays of 42 and 30 yards. Aaron Rodgers has taken notice, stating that Wilson has a chance to be a big-time talent in the league while emphasizing the high standards they're holding him to.

Projected Role

Wilson currently sits as the second option at right wide receiver behind the established depth chart, but the opportunity for expanded usage is clear. With Calvin Austin III dealing with abdominal injuries and the Steelers' receiving depth consisting mainly of veterans like Robert Woods and role players, Wilson has a legitimate path to earning the WR2 role behind DK Metcalf.

Realistic target projections suggest Wilson could see 60-80 targets if he secures a consistent role, which would represent a massive jump from his non-existent rookie production. The key will be translating preseason success into regular season snaps, but the early returns suggest coaching staff confidence in his development.

Supporting Cast

The infrastructure around Wilson has improved significantly with Aaron Rodgers under center, providing the kind of veteran quarterback play that can maximize a young receiver's skillset. Arthur Smith's offensive coordination should create opportunities for Wilson to work in space and utilize his Michigan pedigree effectively.

Having DK Metcalf as the primary target actually benefits Wilson's development, as opposing defenses will focus their attention on the established star. This setup could create favorable matchups for Wilson to exploit as he carves out his role in the offense.

Path to Success

Wilson's ceiling hinges on two critical factors: staying healthy and capitalizing on the injury situation ahead of him. If Austin III's abdominal issues linger and Wilson continues showing the explosive playmaking ability he flashed in preseason, he could quickly emerge as a reliable fantasy option.

The Steelers have historically supported multiple fantasy-relevant receivers, and Wilson's skill set suggests he could fill the role of a big-play threat who provides weekly ceiling games even if his floor remains modest.

Concerns to Monitor

The injury history from his rookie season remains the primary concern, as hamstring and ankle issues can be recurring problems for receivers who rely on route-running precision. Additionally, the depth chart competition isn't going away - veterans like Robert Woods provide steady hands that coaching staffs often prefer over unproven commodities.

Wilson's current target share projections remain speculative since he produced zero catches in 2024, making him a true unknown quantity in terms of weekly consistency and red zone usage.

Draft Strategy

Based on current PPR rankings, Wilson is going around pick 277 in the final rounds of drafts. This price point offers excellent risk-reward value for managers willing to stash a potential breakout candidate.

He fits perfectly as a late-round flier in best ball formats or as a bench stash in redraft leagues. The combination of talent, opportunity, and improved quarterback play creates the foundation for sneaky upside if things break his way. Test different draft strategies with our mock draft simulator to see how this pick fits your roster construction approach.

Don't get caught sleeping on this opportunity - the writing is on the wall for Wilson to finally showcase why Pittsburgh used a third-round pick on him just two seasons ago.

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