Pittman Jr. the Possession Target

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 15, 2026, 7:24 AM

Steelers Wide Receivers: Stable Metrics Preview

 

Countdown to Latrobe

• July 8 – Safeties
• July 9 – Offensive Line
• July 10 – Defensive Line
• July 11 – Cornerbacks
• July 12 – Inside Linebackers
• July 13 – Outside Linebackers
• July 14 -Running Backs
• July 16 – Tight Ends
• July 17 – Wide Receivers
• July 20 – Quarterbacks
• July 21 – Specialists (K, P, LS)
• July 22 – Final 53-Man Thoughts

 

Pittsburgh enters training camp with one of the NFL’s most intriguing receiver rooms. The arrival of DK Metcalf gives the Steelers a true No. 1 target, while Michael Pittman Jr. adds size and reliability. Behind them, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and Brandon Smith.

The emergence of rookie Germie Bernard will be imperative for Pittsburgh. The depth and quality behind Metcalf and Pittman are huge question marks.

PFF’s Stable Metrics provide a deeper look than traditional statistics by highlighting traits that consistently translate from year to year. Route running, separation, production per route, and yards after the catch help identify not only who produced, but how they produced.

Veterans Metcalf and Pittman have established NFL resumes, while the remaining receivers offer developmental upside with smaller sample sizes.

PFF Overall Grades

• DK Metcalf – 71.1 (41st of 128)
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 70.4 (45th of 128)
• Ben Skowronek – 67.7 (DNQ)
• Roman Wilson – 59.8 (DNQ)
• Brandon Smith – 55.8 (DNQ)

Built for Explosive Plays

Few receivers possess DK Metcalf’s combination of size, speed, and explosiveness. His Stable Metrics reveal a player capable of creating chunk plays even when he isn’t consistently separating from defenders.

Metcalf finished in the 78th percentile in yards per route run and an outstanding 98th percentile in yards after the catch per reception, proving he remains one of football’s most dangerous playmakers once the ball is in his hands.

The biggest concern is separation. Metcalf ranked in just the 1st percentile in both overall separation and separation versus single coverage. Rather than winning with quickness, he wins with strength, body control, and contested catches. Pittsburgh will count on him to be the offense’s vertical playmaker and red-zone weapon.

DK Metcalf PFF Stable Metrics

• Receiving Grade: 45th percentile
• Vs. Single Coverage: 53rd percentile
• Vs. Zone (ZUT): 32nd percentile
• Separation: 1st percentile
• Separation vs. Single: 1st percentile
• Yards Per Route Run: 78th percentile
• aDOT: 46th percentile
• YAC/Reception: 98th percentile

Reliable Possession Target

One thing above all stuck with me when Michael Pittman Jr. did his introductory press conference with Pittsburgh media. The Colts didn’t maximize his skillset during his time in Indianapolis.

Pittman Jr. has built his career on toughness, consistency, and dependable hands. While his overall receiving grade sits near league average, his Stable Metrics suggest he still creates opportunities by separating effectively.

Pittman’s 71st percentile separation rate shows he consistently uncovers, although that success drops against man coverage. He isn’t a big yards-after-catch threat, but he remains a quarterback-friendly target capable of moving the chains. His size and physicality should complement Metcalf perfectly, giving Pittsburgh another dependable outside receiver capable of handling a heavy workload.

Michael Pittman Jr. Stable Metrics

• Receiving Grade: 33rd percentile
• Vs. Single Coverage: 14th percentile
• Vs. Zone (ZUT): 66th percentile
• Separation: 71st percentile
• Separation vs. Single: 31st percentile
• Yards Per Route Run: 60th percentile
• aDOT: 18th percentile
• YAC/Reception: 30th percentile

More Bust-then-Boom Potential

Roman Wilson is looking for a fresh start. He changed his jersey number from 10 to 14 this offseason. Will the change in numerals help change the fortune of Pittsburgh’s former 84^th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

His Stable Metrics hint at a receiver whose biggest strength comes against single coverage. Wilson posted a remarkable 97th percentile receiving grade versus man coverage, suggesting he has the speed and route-running ability to stress defenses one-on-one.

The remaining metrics show inconsistency. He struggled against zone looks but excelled after the catch and pushed the football vertically. Entering Year 2026, Wilson has an opportunity to establish himself as Pittsburgh’s primary slot receiver.

However, he has failed to delivery and I’d be surprised if Pittsburgh did not bring in another substantial receiver during training camp.

Roman Wilson PFF Stable Metrics

• Receiving Grade: 16th percentile
• Vs. Single Coverage: 97th percentile
• Vs. Zone (ZUT): 0th percentile
• Separation: 32nd percentile
• Separation vs. Single: 82nd percentile
• Yards Per Route Run: 33rd percentile
• aDOT: 79th percentile
• YAC/Reception: 86th percentile

Developmental Speed Threat

Talk about perseverance, look no further than Brandon Smith. Undrafted out of Iowa in 2021, he has fought to remain in the NFL’s good graces. Appearing in just three games, in his NFL career, it’s hard to think he’ll explode into anything more than a special team’s type.

Brandon Smith Career

• Dallas Cowboys (2021-2022) Practice Squad
• DC Defenders (2023)
• Arizona Cardinals (2023) Practice Squad
• DC Defenders (2024)
• New York Jets (2024-2025)
• New England Patriots (2025) Practice Squad
• Pittsburgh Steelers (2026)

His limited NFL workload prevented qualification in most receiving categories, making it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the Stable Metrics.

The Steelers are betting on Smith’s athletic profile and developmental upside rather than proven production. Training camp will provide an opportunity for him to earn snaps on offense while also competing for a role on special teams.

Brandon Smith PFF Stable Metrics

• Receiving Grade: DNQ
• Receiving Grade vs. Single Coverage: DNQ
• Receiving Grade vs. Zone (ZUT): DNQ
• Separation Percentage: 0th percentile
• Separation vs. Single Coverage: 0th percentile
• Yards Per Route Run: 0th percentile
• aDOT: 0th percentile
• YAC/Reception: 0th percentile

Ben Skowronek: Efficient Role Player

Ben Skowronek’s Stable Metrics paint the picture of a role player who consistently does the little things well. Despite not qualifying for every category, he posted elite marks in several predictive metrics, particularly 99th percentile separation, 99th percentile receiving grade versus zone, and 90th percentile yards after the catch per reception.

His weakness comes against single coverage, but Pittsburgh isn’t asking him to be a featured receiver. Skowronek’s versatility, blocking ability, and efficiency make him an ideal complementary piece.

Ben Skowronek PFF Stable Metrics

• Receiving Grade: 93rd percentile
• Vs. Single Coverage: 2nd percentile
• Vs. Zone (ZUT): 99th percentile
• Separation: 99th percentile
• Separation vs. Single: 99th percentile
• Yards Per Route Run: 41st percentile
• aDOT: 45th percentile
• YAC/Reception: 90th percentile

 

Receiving Grade

• Ben Skowronek – 93rd
• DK Metcalf – 71st
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 33rd
• Roman Wilson – 16th
• Brandon Smith – No Qualifying Grade

Receiving Grade vs. Single Coverage

• Roman Wilson – 97th
• DK Metcalf – 95th
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 14th
• Ben Skowronek – 2nd
• Brandon Smith – No Qualifying Grade

Receiving Grade vs. ZUT (Zone, Underneath, Top)

• Ben Skowronek – 99th
• DK Metcalf – 90th
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 66th
• Roman Wilson – 0th
• Brandon Smith – No Qualifying Grade

Separation Percentage

• Ben Skowronek – 99th
• DK Metcalf – 84th
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 71st
• Roman Wilson – 32nd
• Brandon Smith – 0th

Separation Percentage vs. Single Coverage

• Ben Skowronek – 99th
• Roman Wilson – 82nd
• DK Metcalf – 71st
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 31st
• Brandon Smith – 0th

Yards Per Route Run (YPRR)

• Michael Pittman Jr. – 60th
• DK Metcalf – 56th
• Ben Skowronek – 41st
• Roman Wilson – 33rd
• Brandon Smith – 0th

Average Depth of Target (aDOT)

• Roman Wilson – 79th
• DK Metcalf – 45th
• Ben Skowronek – 45th (tie)
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 18th
• Brandon Smith – 0th

Yards After Catch per Reception (YAC/Rec)

• DK Metcalf – 94th
• Ben Skowronek – 90th
• Roman Wilson – 86th
• Michael Pittman Jr. – 30th
• Brandon Smith -0th

Note: Brandon Smith did not qualify for PFF receiving grades, so only his available Stable Metrics are reflected.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com