DRAFT ANALYST SAYS STEELERS 'LOVE' THIS WR IN 2024 NFL DRAFT
The Steelers are still in the market for a wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers earlier this offseason.
Pittsburgh has been subject to several trade rumors for a veteran wide receiver, but many believe the team will just address the position in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is very deep at the position.
The question is what round are the Steelers hoping to land a wide receiver? Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic thinks it could be a lot earlier than many believe.
"If [Brian Thomas Jr.] doesn't go off the board before 20, I do think this might be the floor for him," Brugler said on the "Yahoo Fantasy Sports Show" podcast. "I've heard they love Brian Thomas."
It's not difficult to love Thomas Jr. after he led the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023 and posted 68 receptions for 1,177 yards.
The massive 6-foot-4, 205-pound player currently ranks as the fifth-best wide receiver and No. 25 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board, which puts Pittsburgh in a great position to land him if it so chooses.
However, the Steelers have been arguably the best team in the league at drafting wide receivers outside of the first round.
They haven't taken a wideout in the first round since selecting Santonio Holmes with pick No. 25 in 2006, but that worked out well as he was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII.
Brugler thinks Pittsburgh is ready to end that streak on Thursday night.
"Everyone wants them to take another character faller on Day 2. My impression of the Steelers is that they're kind of sick of that," Brugler added. "I think they'd love to just hit a home run with a guy like Brian Thomas in the first round."
Brugler makes a point. Although the Steelers have "hit" on the position for many years, most of the players' stints in Pittsburgh have been cut short due to on and/or off-the-field issues.
If Pittsburgh wants the relief of not having to deal with those antics, the team may just use its first-round pick (No. 20) on a playmaker with a ton of upside such as Thomas Jr.
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2024-04-23T16:27:14Z dg43tfdfdgfd