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Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agent Market Watch: Wide Receivers that the Steelers maybe can’t afford

BTSC takes a look at the top free agents at each position, whether or not they are in the Steelers price range. Here are the Wide Receivers.

By Bryan Anthony Davis@btscbad Mar 8, 2021, 12:30pm EST

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Disclaimer: The author realizes that the 2021 Steelers are probably going to be burning in Salary Cap Hell and can’t pony up much money for free agents. However, you never know what they have planned and it’s the author’s responsibility to highlight the free agent options.

The Steelers have good receivers and draft the position well, But JuJu Smith-Schuster is a free agent and may not be retained. If he doesn’t come back, a lot of the guys on the top of the charts won’t be coming in. But bargains could be found out there with players like Golden Tate now on the market. Should the Steelers decide that they need to address the position in free agency, this is who is looking for a deal at the position.

ONCE AGAIN. THE AUTHOR REALIZES THAT THE STEELERS DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS FOR MANY OF THESE PLAYERS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE LIST OF WHO IS AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE AND THE STEELERS. YOU CAN CRITICIZE THE IDIOT AUTHOR ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR BLEACHER REPORT COMMENTS SECTION FOR WASTING YOUR TIME AND NOT KNOWING ANYTHING AT ALL, AGAIN AND AGAIN. HOWEVER, THESE WILL CONTINUE TO APPEAR.

Most Notable Free Agent Wide Receivers

Allen Robinson - Chicago Bears

Age 27, 6’3”/211 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 4.6

Receiving:

Targets - 151, Receptions - 102, Yards - 1,250, Yards Per Game 78.1, Touchdowns - 6, Drops - 1

No. 5 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 88.4 (Elite), Rushing 88.3 (Elite), Receiving 59.2 (Average), Run Block 54.4 (Below Average)

Allen Robinson had a phenomenal season last year, catching 102 passes for 1,250 yards and it only ranks second-best in the receiver’s career. His excellent hands and contested-catch skills make the former Jaguar and Bear quite the catch. Putting Robinson in a situation with a quality quarterback could be lethal.

Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age 25, 6’1”/209 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 12, Speed - 4.42

Receiving:

Targets - 83, Receptions - 65, Yards - 840, Yards Per Game 70.0, Touchdowns - 7, Drops - 2

No. 36 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 79.7 (High Quality), Receiving 80.2 (High Quality), Run Block 62.1 (Average)

Chris Godwin is another Penn Stater eligible for a huge contract. A tremendous receiver, Godwin had a phenomenal 2019 with 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns, Even though injuries derailed his stats in 2020, Godwin still had 840 yards and seven scores. Godwin could play anywhere, inside and in the slot, and rarely drops the football. Should a rebound occur in 2021, Godwin could be in the top-tier at his position. PFF projects a multi-year deal worth $22 million per.

Will Fuller V - Houston Texans

Age 27, 6’0”/184 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 11, Speed - 4.32

Receiving:

Targets - 76, Receptions - 53, Yards - 879, Yards Per Game 79.9, Touchdowns - 8, Drops - 2

No. 9 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 86.2 (Elite), Receiving 85.0 (High Quality), Run Block 66.9 (Above Average)

Will Fuller has had injury problems over the years, but his game-breaking speed makes him a deep-threat on every play. With good hands and big-play potential, the Houston Texans’ receiver will be attractive to teams. PFF projects a five-year/$85.5 million deal going Fuller’s way.

Kenny Golladay - Detroit Lions

Age 27, 6’4”/213 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 5, Speed - 4.5

Receiving:

Targets - 32, Receptions - 20, Yards - 338, Yards Per Game 67.6, Touchdowns - 2, Drops - 2

No. 18 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 81.6 (High Quality), Receiving 79.8 (High Quality), Run Block 75.0 (Above Average)

Before Kenny Golladay’s 2020 season was derailed by injuries, the Lions receiver was on track for a blockbuster season. Golladay has the size and athleticism required to thrive as a combat receiver, as well as a smooth route runner. Kenny even makes quarterbacks better when he is on the field, as evidenced by Matt Stafford’s play. PFF projects a $21.5 million dollar per year deal for the Northern Illinois Husky.

Golden Tate - New York Giants

Age 32, 5’10”/197 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 15, Speed - 4.42

Receiving:

Targets - 51, Receptions - 35, Yards - 388, Yards Per Game 32.3, Touchdowns - 2, Drops - 2

No. 80 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 66.0 (Above Average), Receiving 66.3 (Above Average), Run Block 55.2 (Average)

Golden Tate is not really a No. 1 receiver, but he can play outside and in the slot as a reliable option for quarterbacks. Tate has great after-the-catch skills as he has a history of breaking tackles and extending plays, In the right offense, Tate still has the skills to thrive.

Danny Amendola - Detroit Lions

Age 35, 5’11”/190 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 14, Speed - 4.49

Receiving:

Targets - 68, Receptions - 46, Yards - 602, Yards Per Game 43.0, Touchdowns - 0, Drops - 2

No. 40 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 74.9 (Above Average), Receiving 75.4 (High Quality), Run Block 70.8 (Above Average)

Sure Amendola is 35-years of age. But for a team looking for a pass-catcher in the slot with reliable hands...Danny fits. He’s inexpensive as well. PFF projects a worth 0f $5.5 million for 2021.

Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Wide Receivers

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Age 24, 6’1”/215 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 4.54

Receiving:

Targets - 125, Receptions - 97, Yards - 831, Yards Per Game 51.9, Touchdowns - 9, Drops - 3

No. 63 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 68.2 (Above Average), Receiving 67.7 (Above Average), Run Block 56.7 (Average)

JuJu Smith-Schuster is a hard-working receiver that plays with a ton of heart inside-the- lines. Of course, No. 19 was more productive as a compliment to Antonio Brown in his first two seasons. But he still had 97 catches last year and the lack of yardage could be a result of the quick-pass game. Thus could really just come down to economics and PFF thinks JuJu could get a deal worth $17 million per year.

Ray-Ray McCloud

Age 24, 5’9”/190 lbs.

Stats: Games Played - 16, Speed - 4.53

Receiving:

Targets - 21, Receptions - 20, Yards - 77, Yards Per Game 4.8 Touchdowns - 0, Drops - 1

Rushing:

Attempts - 4, Yards - 65, Yards Per Attempt - 16.3, Yards Per Game - 4.1, Touchdowns - 0, Fumbles - 2, 10+ Runs - 19

PFF Position Ranking- Not Ranked

Overall Grade 70.2 (Above Average), Rushing 90.0 (Elite), Receiving 64.3 (Average), Run Block 67.8 (Above Average)

Ray-Ray is an exclusive-rights free agent and did so much last season as a return man and saw the field in certain receiver packages. In has been speculated that McCloud could see the field more in 2021 in the slot, especially if JuJu departs in free agency.