When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, the excitement was palpable. Coming off a standout season with the Wolverines—where he started 15 games, hauled in 48 catches for 789 yards, and scored 12 receiving touchdowns—Wilson was seen as a key piece for the Steelers' offense. But now, according to SI NFL Draft analyst Justin Melo, Wilson's name is surfacing as a potential trade candidate this offseason.

Wilson was expected to be the answer in the slot for Pittsburgh, but things quickly unraveled. An ankle injury during the first padded practice of training camp sidelined him until Week 6 of the regular season. After just a handful of snaps, he landed on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, derailing his rookie campaign.

The 2025 season was supposed to mark a comeback for Wilson. The Steelers' wide receiver corps was thin, but Wilson managed only four starts and finished with a modest 12 receptions. Now, with the addition of Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard, Wilson finds himself buried on the depth chart and squarely on the roster bubble. The Steelers could look to trade him, pitching the idea that a fresh start and consistent playing time are all he needs to rediscover his form.