Roman Wilson Steelers: Rising Star Wide Receiver’s Journey and Impact on the Team
Roman Wilson is a name Steelers fans are growing more familiar with. As a young wide receiver drafted into one of the NFL’s historic franchises, his journey from college star to his early professional steps has shown promise. This article outlines his background, how he came to Pittsburgh, his playing style, early NFL performance, how he’s impacting the Steelers, and what to expect going forward.
Early Life and College Career
Roman Jeffrey Wilson was born on June 19, 2001, in Kihei, Hawaii, and attended Saint Louis School in Honolulu. At Saint Louis, he was part of a dominant run—his teams won four consecutive state championships and maintained a 38-game winning streak. As a senior, he caught 61 passes for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns, including an 86-yard TD in a state title game. He was a four-star recruit known for his speed (he ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash) and considered among the top players from Hawaii.
He committed to Michigan, where he played from 2020 through 2023. His performance built over time: in 2020, he had 9 catches for 122 yards; in 2021, 25 catches for 420 yards; in 2022, 25 catches again but with 376 yards and some rushing contributions; and in 2023, his best season, with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. He was named Second-Team All-Big Ten in 2023 and was part of Michigan’s national championship squad that season.
Draft and Transition to the Steelers
Roman Wilson entered the NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft (84th overall). His rookie transition was not completely smooth: he suffered an ankle injury in the early padded practices which caused him to miss all of the preseason and some of training camp. Additionally, a hamstring injury later in the season placed him on the Reserve/Injured list, limiting his availability during his rookie year.
Physical Attributes and Playing Style
Wilson is listed at about 5 feet 10–11 inches and roughly 186 pounds. He is known for his speed, agility, and ability to stretch the field horizontally and make plays after the catch. In college, he showed he could run deep routes, but also that he had enough versatility to contribute in short and intermediate passing games, plus some rushing plays. His speed and quickness make him a threat in open space.
Early NFL Performance
In the NFL so far, Wilson’s stats are still modest—reflecting his limited playing time due to injuries and adjustment to the pro level. Through the early games of the 2025 regular season, he has recorded 1 reception for 7 yards. He played in 2024 but did not record any receptions that year. The small sample size makes it hard to draw definitive conclusions, but it is typical for mid-round rookies, especially those who miss parts of camp or who are behind on snaps, to take time before having big impacts.
Role and Depth Chart Position
Wilson’s role in Pittsburgh is evolving. He was drafted with the expectation that he could support the wide receiver corps and possibly contribute on special teams. Early in camp, there was attention on his potential in return duties (kick returns / punt returns), which can be a way for younger players to make an impact while developing their route tree and learning the offense.
As of the start of the 2025 season, he has moved up the depth chart. He passed some veterans (Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek) to become WR3 behind Calvin Austin III, giving him more opportunities in certain packages.
Impact on the Steelers
While Wilson has yet to break out with big NFL statistics, his presence adds depth and potential to a Steelers receiver room that has been retooling. Speed and youth are assets in today’s NFL. Having a receiver like Wilson who can threaten deep, force defenses to respect downfield passing, and contribute on special teams helps the offensive coordinator to design more flexible and explosive schemes.
Moreover, Wilson’s college pedigree—especially coming from a championship-winning program and being productive in big moments (for example his touchdown in the Rose Bowl to force overtime)—gives him confidence and experience in pressure situations.
Challenges and What Needs Improvement
Wilson’s early challenges are typical of many young wideouts entering the league. Injuries have limited his practice time and preseason exposure, which impacts timing, chemistry with the quarterback, and route sharpness. He also needs to adjust to the speed and physicality of NFL defenses, improve consistency in catching under pressure, separation at the line, and blocking in the run game when asked.
Also, with veterans and other receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, earning more playing time will require both strong performance in limited snaps and reliability when called upon.
What to Expect Moving Forward
Over the coming seasons, there are reasons to believe Wilson’s impact will grow. If he can stay healthy, get more reps in games, and leverage his speed and big-play ability, he could become a key vertical threat for the Steelers. The increased depth chart promotion suggests the coaching staff already sees his potential and may design more plays that suit his skill set.
Expect more involvement in special teams, more targets built in slants, bubbles, and deep routes, especially on possessions where defenses have to account for his speed. As the wide receiver room changes due to injuries, trades, or roster turnover, Wilson could see even more opportunities.
Comparison to Peer Young Receivers
Compared to other rookie or young receivers from the 2024 draft or recent seasons, Wilson’s production so far is modest, but by no means uncommon. Many receivers drafted after the first round take time to adapt. Some never get big roles. Given his college success and measurable athletic traits, he sits in a group with upside.
If he mirrors the trajectories of successful mid-round picks who became starters (or complementary starters), then steady improvement in year two or three is likely; it would follow patterns seen with players who were initially depth pieces or special teams options.
Final Thoughts
Roman Wilson’s journey with the Steelers reflects the often non-linear path of many young NFL wide receivers: a strong college record, challenges of injury and adjustment in his rookie season, but rising expectations as he earns more trust and opportunities. While he has not yet made large statistical waves in the NFL, the foundation is there—speed, route ability, work ethic, and a college background that suggests an ability to perform in big moments.
For Steelers fans and NFL watchers alike, Roman Wilson is a player worth watching. His growth could help stretch defenses, add depth, and over time, impact how the Steelers offense looks in terms of threat and flexibility.
