Steelers enter Week 1 vs Jets with a rookie-forward WR mix led by Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, while Deontay Johnson remains the established target. Pittsburgh didn’t add a wideout in free agency or by trade, keeping Kendrick Bourne as a potential fallback but not a signing. The Will Howard situation colors the QB plan, with three-quarterback depth and development taking center stage as the trio of Austin, Wilson and Bourne tests a young room. The 53 is finalized with Clark and Sharping in the fold, and the hosts project a bold 12-5 finish anchored by aggressive scheduling and a star-studded Week 17/18 storyline around Rodgers.

Kendrick Bourne surfaces as the Steelers’ final viable WR option, a big-bodied veteran who could pair with Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, offering red-zone reliability but limited top-end speed. Jacoby Meyers is floated as the dream fit, yet Bourne’s cost-effective presence remains the safer path if Pittsburgh’s pursuit stalls. The current five-man WR group is tight, elevating Bourne’s potential impact but tempering expectations for immediate difference-making.

Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster flushed out, but Week 1 vs Jets will hinge on how quickly roles gel behind a familiar core. Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson stand out as early-reserve targets, with Darnell Washington and Connor Hayward shaping a versatile, compact offense. Surprises surfaced on defense: Chuck Clark’s departure reopens safety depth and pushes open competition at several spots, while Will Howard’s trajectory remains unclear as Will Howard and Skyler Thompson linger around IR timelines.

The WR slate remains crowded but uneven for fantasy value. Tre Palmer and Malachi Corley drew interest, yet Pittsburgh has shown commitment to allocating opportunities to the players they bring in. Jacoby Myers’ name popped up in conversation as a potential late‑summer rumor, while George Pickens remains a marquee asset who could benefit from a sharper overall offensive plan. All told, fantasy managers should monitor the waiver landscape and possible late‑ROSTER bumps as Week 1 approaches.