Injuries and struggles have sidelined promising Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft picks Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have three third-round picks in this year’s NFL Draft, and that might not be such a good thing.
They selected Roman Wilson in 2024 after he helped Michigan win the national championship. Last year, the Steelers took Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson after he led the nation in rushing.
Both players have made a negligible impact with the Steelers. In fact, that might be being kind.
Wilson played in only one game as a rookie and had no catches as he dealt with injuries. The following season, he appeared in 13 games, earned four starts for a receiver-needy team, and managed 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
However, general manager Omar Khan says the Steelers are not giving up on Wilson.
“You guys have heard me talk about my belief in Roman,” Khan said, referring to the media. “I think Roman's a talented player.”
Wilson had strong production at Michigan, but his impact in the NFL has not yet matched it.
As it stands now, Wilson is the likely starter at slot receiver, joining wideouts DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in the lineup. However, the Steelers seem certain to draft at least one wide receiver next month, possibly in the first round, who would be capable of starting right away.
Johnson is another player who was effective in the Big Ten, but he has struggled to make the transition to pro football. After a critical mistake on a kickoff return that led to the Seattle Seahawks beating the Steelers in Week 2, he barely played last season.
Over the course of the season, Johnson rushed for just 69 yards on 28 carries and caught one pass for nine yards. The Steelers still managed a 10-8 record, winning their first AFC North title since 2020, before falling 30-6 to the Houston Texans in a Wild Card playoff game.
“I expect Kaleb to turn the corner,” Khan said when asked about his expectations for Johnson next season.
Johnson had a standout 2024 season in college but hasn’t replicated that success with the Steelers.
He was productive over his college career but has struggled to find a role in Pittsburgh.
On the current roster, Johnson finds himself third on the Steelers’ depth chart behind veterans Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. Barring injuries to either, Johnson is unlikely to get significant carries in 2026.
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