It's clear the Steelers need to add another wide receiver, but at what point will Omar Khan and the front office make that move happen?
Diontae Johnson is now a Carolina Panther after an offseason trade, and Allen Robinson was released as a cap casualty before the start of free agency. The top depth pieces behind George Pickens are down to Calvin Austin and newcomers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Marquez Callaway. Of those four, Jefferson had the most receiving yards in 2023 with 209.
An addition is sure to come within the next two weeks, and the NFL Draft beginning April 25 is the most likely time for it to happen. From looking at who the Steelers are pouring resources into scouting, though, that receiver help might not come until the second and third rounds of the draft on April 26, where there are many options who have gathered looks.
As of this posting, the Steelers have used six of their 28 known pre-draft visits on wide receivers. Teams can host up to 30 prospects in the pre-draft process, and the majority of those hosted on the South Side line up within the trenches on both offensive and defensive sides. From looking at the projections of those who have been hosted, it's clear the team is doing most of its homework on Day 2 receivers.
One receiver hosted on the South Side ranks inside of the top 32 on Pro Football Focus' big board: Texas' Adonai Mitchell at No. 31 overall. Three others grade within PFF's top 100 prospects: Florida's Ricky Pearsall (No. 49), South Carolina's Xavier Legette (63), and Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley (85). The remaining two grade as probable Day 3 prospects: USC's Tahj Washington (158) and Rice's Luke McCaffrey (182).
Per the PFF mock draft simulator, Mitchell has an average draft positioning (ADP) of 29.7, which would place him inside of the first round and behind the Steelers' first pick at No. 20 overall and ahead of the Steelers' second-round selection at No. 51. The Steelers would have to feel strong enough to select him at 20 or explore a trade to move back a few slots to get him while obtaining some late-round capital.
However, our Chris Halicke reported last week the Steelers are prioritizing offensive tackles in their scouting, which would likely mean the receiver pool would get pushed back to Day 2 on their board.
The Steelers have picks 51, 84, and 98 in the second and third rounds. The 98th pick is a compensatory selection acquired from the Eagles in the Kenny Pickett trade. Per PFF's draft simulator, 16 wide receivers have an ADP in between 32.0 and 100.0, meaning this receiver class is being viewed as deep beyond Ohio State's Marvin Harrison, Jr., Washington's Rome Odunze, and LSU's Malik Nabers, who are all projected to be picked within the top 10 overall.
Georgia's Ladd McConkey had impressive Senior Bowl and NFL Combine weeks, but the one who caught the Steelers' eyes -- and Mike Tomlin's, in particular -- was Michigan's Roman Wilson.
Roman Wilson ends practice with a tremendous one handed catch vs. Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/g9G3sls6pe
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) January 31, 2024
Wilson gives off vibes of the Texans' Tank Dell with his strong hands and ability to make contested catches. He had 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in Michigan's 2023 National Championship season. At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine in February.
The Steelers sent the cavalry to scout Michigan's pro day, where Wilson tested:
Among those in attendance for Wilson's pro day were Tomlin, Khan, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, so the interest of Wilson is definitive. The Steelers met with Wilson several times at the Senior Bowl and again at the Combine, further confirming that running interest despite Wilson not visiting the South Side for an official visit.
Wilson might be their top guy to target in the second or third round, but that doesn't mean the Steelers won't ignore the other options on the table. The Steelers met with Mitchell, Oregon's Troy Franklin, Washington's Jalen McMillan, and Florida State's Keon Coleman formally, and they checked in with Pearsall and North Carolina's Devontez Walker informally at the Combine, among the Day 2 options.
The Steelers wouldn't waste this much motion if a wide receiver wasn't in the cards for the draft. Some scouting has been done on first-round options like Odunze and LSU's Brian Thomas, Jr., each having met with the Steelers in Indianapolis, but the prioritizing of offensive line has pushed back those options for now.
