Ex-Top 5 Overall Pick Emerging as Potential WR Target for Steelers

Getty A couple Steelers writers proposed head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers target former No. 5 overall pick and wide receiver Corey Davis.

After a flurry of wide receiver signings and trades on March 14, the free agent market seems to have become Tyler Boyd or bust for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, there is another possible target that could be a natural fit with the Steelers — Corey Davis.

The 29-year-old retired from the NFL in August 2023, but ESPN’s Field Yates reported on March 14 that Davis has applied for reinstatement to the league. Yates added that the New York Jets were expected to release Davis.

Less than three hours after that tweet, SNY’s John Flanagan reported the Jets released Davis. New York left open the possibility of bringing back the 29-year-old, but if the Jets do not re-sign Davis, multiple Steelers writers have proposed Pittsburgh as a potential landing spot for the veteran.

His playing style fits the Steelers’ needs. Davis also has a strong connection to Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Davis began his career as the No. 5 overall pick for the Tennessee Titans in 2017. At the time, Smith was Tennessee’s tight ends coach.

Smith then became the Titans offensive coordinator in 2019. Davis experienced two of the best statistical seasons of his career with Smith as his play caller.

Overall, Davis has posted 273 catches for 3,879 yards and 17 touchdowns in six NFL seasons.

Could Steelers Target WR Corey Davis?

Steelers Now’s Nick Farabaugh and Steelers Depot’s Dave Bryan each suggested Davis as a target for the Steelers in the time between Yates’ report and when the Jets released the receiver.

“Davis played for Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Tennessee and was productive under Smith,” Farabaugh wrote. “It would bring in a guy who fits all the checked boxes for a Smith wide receiver.

“For one, Davis is a highly willing blocker who can play outside and in the slot. Given how Pittsburgh will play with condensed sets into the line of scrimmage where the slot receiver will not exist because they will play out of multiple tight-end personnel so often, that is valuable.”

Pittsburgh’s situation at wide receiver has only become more dire since Davis’ release. Free agent wide receivers Curtis Samuel, Marquise Brown and Cedrick Wilson signed with new teams on March 14. Furthermore, the Chicago Bears traded for veteran wideout Keenan Allen, who The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly named as a possible trade target for the Steelers.

On March 13, another rumored Pittsburgh receiver target, Calvin Ridley, signed with the Titans.

Boyd is the consensus top receiver remaining in free agency. Kaboly reported the Steelers and Boyd, who is from Pittsburgh, have mutual interest in coming to a contract agreement. But the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and Jets are also potentially interested.

Bryan argued that the Steelers would only be interested in Davis if he agreed to sign a league minimum contract. But Pittsburgh’s interest in Davis could grow substantially if Boyd signs elsewhere.

In addition to Farabaugh and Bryan, SI.com’s All Steelers’ Noah Strackbein named Davis a possible target for Pittsburgh on March 15.

How Davis Could Fit With the Steelers

Signing Davis essentially as a Diontae Johnson replacement will be a tough sell to a lot of Steelers fans. Pittsburgh is trying to replace Johnson, who was one of the team’s most talented offensive players last season. Signing a player who was on his couch last season to fill Johnson’s role is less than ideal.

Despite being a top 5 pick, Davis has also never recorded a 1,000-yard season.

But Davis wouldn’t have to be a 1,000-yard receiver to be useful to the Steelers, particularly if he signed a cheap contract.

Davis has averaged 14.2 yards per catch in his career. He’s also been a very willing and strong blocker throughout his NFL tenure. In 2022, Davis posted a 79.8 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. The year prior, he had an 80.1 run blocking grade at PFF.

Signing Davis could help the Steelers replace both Johnson and Allen Robinson, who the team cut to save $10 million in cap space. Robinson was Pittsburgh’s top blocking wideout last year.

Davis has never caught more than 65 passes in a season, but he could be an efficient threat playing alongside George Pickens.

Davis averaged 14.7 yards per reception in two seasons with Smith as his offensive coordinator. His knowledge of Smith’s playbook could prove to be invaluable to a young Pittsburgh offense.

Even still, it’s probably not wise for the Steelers to count on an unretired player being a starting wide receiver. But after signing Davis, the Steelers could still add another wideout on Day 1 or 2 of the 2024 NFL draft.