Steelers' Roman Wilson Named A Top Candidate To Be 2024's 'Puka Nacua' Along With Polarizing Divisional Rival

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten nothing but praise when it comes to their 2024 draft class, which is the second year in a row that has happened for General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl. They addressed a lot of the organization's needs and holes throughout the roster, one being wide receiver. They upgraded the wide receiver room by selecting Roman Wilson with the 84th overall pick, who should be expected to contribute immediately. 

Wilson was an underrated receiver in the pool of superstars at the position in the 2024 draft class. He is a fundamentally sound receiver with good route running that actually enjoys getting down field and blocking for his teammates. Wilson was selected later than expected as he initially projected as a second round pick. Chris Simms was asked on a recent episode of his podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, for a few candidates that could have a breakout rookie year in the same way that Puka Nacua did in 2023. 

"Two guys I think jump to me here, one would be Roman Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and him being able to play right away is a big part of this. And the other one is Jermaine Burton of the Cincinnati Bengals."

Nacua was an All-Pro and a Pro-Bowler in his rookie season that broke four NFL rookie receiving records. That is an impossible standard to hold any receiver coming into the NFL to. In general, Nacua surprised a lot of football fans with his performance during his rookie year, which is essentially what Simms expects to see from both Wilson and Jermaine Burton. 

This is not the first time Wilson has received this level of praise since being drafted by the Steelers. Shortly after the draft concluded, Wilson was predicted to be the leagues Offensive Rookie of the Year while Pittsburgh's other third round pick, Payton Wilson, was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year have come from the same team in the last two seasons, as the Houston Texans won both awards in 2023 and the New York Jets did it in 2022. If the Steelers continue that trend with two third rounders it would be even more impressive, as Houston and New York each did it with two top-10 picks. 

Wilson has the chance to do something Nacua didn't even do if he is able to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Nacua definitely deserved it in 2023, but CJ Stroud had a fantastic year that even had him in the MVP conversation at certain points. It will always be difficult to beat out a quarterback for an award, just ask the last non-quarterback MVP winner from the 2012 season, Adrian Peterson. 

Steelers' Roman Wilson Would Need To Shock The World To Surpass Nacua

Nacua recorded 105 receptions during his rookie season, which is already a number that Wilson will struggle to meet due to Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense. Nacua had nearly 1,500 receiving yards and six touchdowns as well. Depending on whether or not the Steelers add to their wide receiver room, Wilson should be a top three option at receiver for Pittsburgh heading into the 2024 season. Due to his smaller frame, it's likely he will get a lot of work out of the slot, and he probably will be used some in the run game with jet sweeps and end arounds. 

Wilson has no chance of reaching Nacua's numbers, but he certainly will have the ability to surprise fans. He will show up in more areas of the game than what is shown in the box score, he is a scrappy blocker who may help spring some runs lose throughout the season. He also was one of the best route runners in his draft class, which will help with the departure of Diontae Johnson.