Wide receiver has become a popular choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers in mock drafts since the team hired Mike McCarthy as head coach. But free agent receivers should be on the team’s radar too, especially Romeo Doubs.
This week, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker named Doubs the “one 2026 free agent” the Steelers should pursue.
“With the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, the team will likely invest more in its offense as it attempts to better a unit that placed 20th in EPA per play. Finding a running mate for D.K. Metcalf would go a long way in doing so,” wrote Locker.
“Doubs has been a solid option over the last three seasons with a 78.6 PFF receiving grade. Since 2024, he also sits in the 75th percentile in receiving grade vs. single coverage. The 25-year-old former Packer could reunite with Aaron Rodgers (if he returns) and should have little trouble learning McCarthy’s terminology.”
McCarthy never coached Doubs in Green Bay, but the wideout played with Aaron Rodgers during the quarterback’s final Green Bay Packers season.
Last season, Doubs posted 55 catches for a career-high 724 receiving yards. He also had six touchdowns.
PFF has Doubs ranked as the No. 44 overall player in this year’s projected free agency pool.
How WR Romeo Doubs Potentially Fits With Steelers
Doubs became a diamond in the rough of sorts for Green Bay. Although he was a Day 3 selection in 2022, Doubs registered 425 receiving yards as a rookie.
He then scored eight touchdowns with 674 receiving yards during his second season.
But the Packers have continued to invest heavily at receiver over the past few years. In 2025, Green Bay picked Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams during the second.
The Packers have also already signed Doubs’ rookie classmate, receiver Christian Watson, to a contract extension.
There isn’t a lot of room for Doubs on the Packers depth chart to remain in Green Bay. If he reaches free agency, the Steelers should be interested for two main reasons.
First, he would offer an upgrade at WR2 over what the Steelers have possessed in recent years. During 2025, Calvin Austin III finished second among Pittsburgh receivers despite only having 372 receiving yards.
Austin is set to be an unrestricted free agent this spring.
Doubs also has previous experience with Rodgers.
The 42-year-old signal caller could retire. But McCarthy stressed multiple times during his first week as Steelers head coach that he would like Rodgers to return in 2026.
“I think Aaron’s just going through his process and evaluating what he wants to do moving forward,” said McCarthy on the radio Friday.
“I hope he’s coming back.”
Steelers WR Depth Entering 2026 Offseason
Whether it’s Doubs or an early-round rookie, the Steelers need to add somebody to their receiver room.
Actually, in a perfect world, they should add both a veteran and a rookie.
The team’s 2025 leading receiver, D.K. Metcalf, will return next year. But Austin, along with veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller and Adam Thielen, are all free agents. There’s a good chance none of them return.
That would leave Roman Wilson as the Steelers No. 2 wideout. He had 12 catches and 166 receiving yards last season and was a healthy scratch for most of December.
With that in mind, it would be rather shocking if the Steelers don’t add multiple receivers this offseason. Doubs fits the profile to be one of them.
Steelers Urged to Pursue Packers WR to Upgrade Mike McCarthy’s 2026 Offense