Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs: Rookie WR Roman Wilson’s acclimation period determines a WR trade

Selected in the third round, Wilson has the chance to be very good from day one in the league. But we have to remember that he is a rookie who played in a pro-style offense that didn't ask much of their WRs, hence the questions about what his ceiling can be. 

He's electric with his cuts and top-end speed, but his smaller stature leads you to believe he would be better off starting his career inside the hashes or as a slot WR. But some seem to think that he can and will succeed on the outside right away:

The Steelers traded away their No. 2 wide receiver in Diontae Johnson, and the rumored trade for a top target has yet to materialize. While it’s tough to see Wilson supplanting George Pickens as the top target in Pittsburgh as a rookie, his path to the No. 2 spot is relatively clear. That means that 80 or more targets is not out of the question for Wilson, and the Steelers' quarterback situation is likely to be better in 2024 than it was in 2023. -Gordon McGuinness, PFF

I see where McGuinness is coming from. There is no other WR on the roster that has the ceiling or explosiveness to make you think they would be better off as the second option than Wilson. 

But just because Wilson is set up to be the WR #2 on Pittsburgh, doesn't mean he's actually a WR #2. 

In today's NFL, you have to have a minimum of two bonified ball winners on the perimeter to have a successful passing attack. 

And while it won't be until the regular season that Pittsburgh knows for sure if Wilson can be that player opposite of George Pickens, how well he acclimates to the team starting with OTAs this week will be telling. 

If he's the talk of the town, then Pittsburgh should hold onto their draft capital. But if not, the trade rumors will ramp back up.