The Pittsburgh Steelers did not get off to a hot start on the offensive side at training camp, and the wide receiver depth has looked like a major issue heading into the preseason and the eventual 53-man roster cuts.
One particularly disappointing player has been veteran wide receiver Robert Woods, a former two-time 1,000-yard pass-catcher who has aged out of his prime. Long-time Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly identified Woods as one of his “losers” of training camp on August 13, noting that he has been noticeably “outplayed.”
“Woods was outplayed in camp by [Scotty] Miller and [Ben] Skowronek by a noticeable margin,” Kaboly relayed. Adding: “That’s not good for a guy who is 33 and isn’t attached to much money.”
“Now, don’t get me wrong, he still has talent, but Miller and Skowronek were just better,” the beat reporter acknowledged. He concluded that he thinks “a veteran receiver is still useful in this offense and will make the final 53-man roster.”
Although Kaboly is giving Woods the 53-man roster edge as of August 13, his roster spot feels very much in danger of being lost.
As the Steelers reporter stated, Pittsburgh can part ways with Woods without batting an eye, as cutting him would actually shed $1.255 million in cap space. Conversely, the organization would only sacrifice $745,000 if the front office were to release the veteran.
A few things could happen for this to become a reality.
Steelers Could Cut Robert Woods If a Younger WR Emerges During the Preseason
Assuming Calvin Austin III returns from injury by Week 1, the Steelers’ roster will include three locks at wide receiver with DK Metcalf, Austin and Roman Wilson. Miller and Skowronek then appear to be in the lead for the fourth and fifth WR roles.
Theoretically, that could already be enough to keep Woods off the roster, but let’s say Pittsburgh keeps six wideouts to start the year.
Woods certainly began Steelers camp within the top six at the position, but he’s fading fast.
If a significantly younger rookie like Roc Taylor, Ke’Shawn Williams or Max Hurleman continues to emerge during the preseason, it’d be foolish for Pittsburgh to keep an over-the-hill 33-year-old instead of a potential future asset.
Steelers Could Still Add Another WR, Sealing Woods’ Fate After a Rough Training Camp
On top of Woods having to fend off undrafted rookies at the position, he may also have to fend off outside competition.
“The Steelers have more than three weeks before their first game. The more time [Aaron] Rodgers has to build a connection with his new receiving corps, the better things should look,” The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote on August 14. Adding: “The question is: Will the Steelers add another target before the season?”
“We always do our due diligence,” assistant GM Andy Weidl told DeFabo. “That’s our job. Any player that becomes available at any position in the league, that’s on us. We have to know the player. If it’s the right player, right price, you look at it.”
If the Steelers were to bring in another veteran free agent at wide receiver, that would surely mean the end of Woods.
So, as you can see, the struggling veteran could lose his roster spot to a promising youngster, incoming free agent, or another position altogether if the Steelers choose to keep five wide receivers rather than six.
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