The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the final month of the regular season proving they aren’t just mortal; they’re in grave danger of fumbling a 10-3 start and turning into another first-round exit.

After losing 29-10 on Wednesday to the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh lost its third consecutive game and fell out of first place in the AFC North.

The first two losses can be attributed to the absence of receiver George Pickens. Without his ability to stretch the field, the offense wilted. Quarterback Russell Wilson has thrived operating on deep shots and short passes, struggling in the intermediate parts of the field and rendered meager without the downstream effects of his field stretch.

In Yahoo’s recent 2025 NFL mock draft, the Steelers opted to make the offense less fragile by adding another high-profile receiver. With the 25th pick, they took Missouri receiver Luther Burden III.

“I know the Steelers don’t typically (or mostly ever) draft wide receivers in the first round,” Nate Tice wrote. “But this Steelers offense has been lethargic when George Pickens isn’t on the field. And while players at other positions could be intriguing here for the Steelers — another cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr., swapping out Najee Harris for Ashton Jeanty, possibly even a tight end like Colston Loveland — I went with the dynamic Burden, whose production was up and down in 2024 but his explosiveness was still apparent.

“Burden lined up mostly in the slot during college as Missouri liked to move him around the formation, but he showed off the ability to win from the outside and has the YAC and big-play potential to add to any offense. He fits perfectly opposite Pickens and in Arthur Smith’s offense.”

Adding insulation to the passing offense makes sense, especially if the plan is to run it back with Wilson in 2025. Burden offers the Steelers an explosive counterpart to Pickens, granting more credibility to the quick passes in between deep passes off of play action.

That selection should mitigate disaster when Pickens is off the field. But it also gives the Steelers an escape hatch if they don’t plan on extending their top receiver.

Now, Pittsburgh doesn’t have to move on. However, Pickens has been called out by head coach Mike Tomlin for needing to grow up, has a knack for taking plays off, and is no stranger to escalating unnecessary stories, like his feud with the Cleveland Browns on and after Thursday Night Football.

Burden would raise the floor and ceiling of the Steelers offense, allowing them to gain flexibility and explosiveness as they attempt to take down the AFC’s best teams. He certainly deserves to be in the conversation for Pittsburgh in the back half of Round 1.