PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s no secret the Steelers need receivers, only three currently on the roster and they spent nearly three handfuls of interviews at the NFL Combine on the position. Who are some top-end names, some affordable risks and a few wild cards in free agency this year?
The ‘negotiation period’ with free agents begins on Monday and undoubtably news will leak of early agreements.
According to projections, the Steelers have around $40 million available to spend, $43 million by spotrac.com which is the eighth most currently in the NFL.
Difference makers
It’s a disappointing group in terms of production, the best free agent receiver was 14th in receiving yards in 2026. That was Giants Wan’dale Robinson (92 receptions, 1014 yards, 4 TD), who would remind Steelers fans of free agent Calvin Austin in stature in that he’s 5’8”, 185 pounds. But given the New York quarterback carousel, he was still able to have a first 1,000-yard season. In his four NFL seasons, he has 1,160 yards after catch and 14 career drops in 389 targets. Interesting, Robinson had one fewer reception in 2025 from the previous year, but averaged 3.5 more yards per catch with 39 first downs. He’s ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 47th best receiver in 2025 and spotrac.com says he could cost nearly $18 million a season.
27-year-old Rashid Shaheed split time between the Saints and Seahawks with 59 receptions, 687 yards, 2 touchdowns. With Seattle, only 15 receptions and no scores in nine games. The 6’, 180-pound undrafted receiver is estimated to be worth $14.1 million and NFL.com ranks him as the 12th best free agent overall.
Romeo Doubs (6’2”, 204 pounds) is the most loved by PFF in the free agent group, ranked 33rd overall, the number would be higher except he’s judged as a horrible blocker.
The market value is $12 million according to spotrac.com. Doubs is coming off a career-best 724 yards on 55 receptions and six touchdowns and a 64.7% percentage. Other than blocking, the 25-year-old is judged as a very complete receiver who makes combat catches without a lot of splash.
Affordable risks
If you are looking for an affordable ($4.7 spotrac.com projection) wild card who already has been a solid three, but could be more, then it’s Vikings Jalen Nailor. Despite being on a team with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and with inconsistent quarterback play, Nailor was ranked as the 67th best receiver in 2025 according to PFF, one spot behind Shaheed and ahead of Addison. He just turned 27 and was a sixth-round pick coming off 29 receptions for 444 yards (15.3 per catch) with four touchdowns. His catch percentage was 54.7% and in his last two seasons 47 of his 56 catches went for first downs.
Christian Kirk is a name Steelers fans probably heard as he has been rumored to the team several times, along with leading Houston with eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown in the January Wild Card loss. The 29-year-old’s projected salary is around $4 million and he will turn 30 in November. At 5’11”, Kirk played in 13 games with Houston averaging a career-low 8.5 yards per catch. He’s a natural slot and averaged at least 13 yards per catch in his last three years (2022-24) in Jacksonville.
Calvin Austin fits in this category. The 27-year-old showed spurts, playing through a shoulder injury to finish with 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. It’s a new coaching staff, so familiarity isn’t really a factor. His value by spotrac.com is $4.8 million, but PFF ranked him as the 115th best receiver in 2025.
Others
If the Steelers are looking for a one-year stop and willing to tie up cap space, Mike Evans will be 33 in training camp and made $20 million last year. His streak of 11 straight one-thousand-yard seasons ended in 2025, only able to play eight games (30 receptions, 368 yards, 3 TD).
Jauan Jennings can be a handful, but the 29-year-old can also play the position, finishing with nine touchdowns. At 6’3”, 212 pounds, Jennings had 77 receptions for 975 yards in 2024. Spotrac.com projects he could make $22 million in 2025.
As with Jennings, Tyreek Hill could bring baggage and would likely want a multi-year deal that could be around $15 million per season. While still speedy, Hill is now 32 and played only four games in 2025. He will be three years removed from leading the league with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
If Aaron Rodgers does return as the Steelers starting quarterback, put Scotty Miller and Marquez Valdes-Scantling back on the radar.