Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams could soon land with a new team—but possibly a familiar one.
Set to become a free agent after the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick for him to the New York Jets at the deadline, Williams saw limited action in Pittsburgh.
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, a reunion with the Los Angeles Chargers could be on the table—a move that might benefit both sides.
“They could look for that outside ball-winner in the draft. But Williams is one receiver with that exact skill set who would not cost an exorbitant amount. And he has a built-in rapport with quarterback Justin Herbert from their four seasons together. I think the Williams reunion makes a ton of sense — if Higgins does not hit free agency or if his price is a non-starter for Harbaugh and Hortiz,” Popper wrote.
After tearing his ACL with the Chargers in 2023, Mike Williams never quite regained his pre-injury form. However, he still showcased his ability to make spectacular sideline catches on jump balls—his signature skill.
Any team seeking that unique ability could benefit from his talents. The Steelers brought him in for this very reason, but they’re likely to let him go and target another veteran. This could make a potential return to the Chargers key for Williams’ market value.
4-round Steelers Mock Draft: Pittsburgh finds its future RB1 in Cam Skattebo
Welcome to my first Steelers mock draft of the year. I have to admit—I’m not fully on board with the idea of a mock draft before free agency. Whether it’s a standout WR like Chris Godwin or a star DT like Milton Williams, the Steelers’ offseason moves will undoubtedly influence their draft decisions.
That said, I do enjoy evaluating the talent the team’s front office is likely looking at. It’s an opportunity for both me and readers to dive deeper into these prospects.
I’ve only done four rounds for now, as I’m still getting a feel for the projected back-end of the class. Without further ado:
Round 1, Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon is arguably the most disruptive run-stopper in the draft, and he also has the ability to pressure the quarterback. He uses violent hands and consistently brings high energy. While the Steelers have generally been effective at stopping the run over the years, they were exposed last season by Ravens star RB Derrick Henry.
In a crucial division game on the road, Henry racked up 162 yards on 24 carries, helping the Ravens secure a 34-17 victory over the Steelers and gaining an edge in the AFC North. And of course, we all remember what happened in the playoffs. Henry stiff-armed Minkah Fitzpatrick into another dimension, running for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
Harmon faced constant double teams yet still managed to record 5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. In short, he’s a game-changer.
Round 2, Pick 52: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
If and when the Steelers add a receiver, it will largely depend on their assessment of last year’s third-round pick, Roman Wilson. Honestly, it’s unclear where he fits into their future plans, especially after he missed most of the 2024 season.
That said, the Steelers may still need another playmaker on the outside, as both Wilson and Calvin Austin III are expected to continue primarily lining up in the slot.
Ayomanor, however, is a polished receiver with a veteran-like fluidity to his game. He’s a strong presence at the line of scrimmage and has excellent instincts, often finding soft spots by simply slowing the game down. Unlike many receivers who play at full speed every snap, Ayomanor, much like quarterbacks, understands that sometimes taking a step back can lead to a bigger gain.
Round 3, Pick 83: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
The Steelers have three major needs heading into the draft. Ideally, I’d like to see a cornerback selected earlier, but there are plenty of holes to fill.
Strong was impressive in college, leading all cornerbacks in both yards allowed per coverage snap (0.24) and completion rate allowed (27.3%).
He’s a tall press-man corner with smooth hips and above-average ball skills. However, he does need to work on settling down his approach a bit, as he can struggle with deep balls due to a tendency to jump intermediate routes.
Overall, he’d be a steal at this position.
Round 4, Pick 122: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
If you weren’t a fan of this mock draft so far, I wonder if this pick will change your mind. Skattebo just has that Pittsburgh Steelers “vibe.”
The Heisman finalist was a standout at Arizona State, ranking second in the NCAA last year with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
While there will be questions about his athleticism, he’s a bruiser who can consistently grind out three or four yards, and good luck trying to stop him at the goal line. The real question is whether he provides enough of a change of pace from Jaylen Warren, or if he’s just too similar to Najee Harris in terms of lack of explosiveness.
He’s got the traits of a Pittsburgh Steeler, especially if this were the early 2000s. While he’d certainly be exciting to watch and I believe he’ll be a good player, I’d lean towards prioritizing speed over power here.
But for now, let’s have some fun with this pick.
