The Pittsburgh Steelers have a need. A need for speed. They’ve got it in third-year receiver Calvin Austin as a depth piece, but Matt Canada didn’t know how to use him.
But now there’s a new offensive sheriff in town, and his name is Arthur Smith. Judging from his time as coordinator in Tennessee, he’ll come up with a plan that competitively utilizes the strengths of his squad.
Part of that plan could include speedy LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. In the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the Steelers take him with their first overall pick at No. 20.
Thomas, who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine, has a tremendous blend of speed and size (6-foot-3). He caught 17 touchdown passes last season, leading the FBS. Pittsburgh had just 13 total touchdown passes in 2023. Thomas and George Pickens could form an exciting pass-catching duo.
A fast and tall receiver is great and fills a need, one that Russell Wilson would undoubtedly love. But the Steelers only have one shot in the first round and should be smarter about building the trenches with a center or tackle. Jackson Powers-Johnson, whom many fans have already declared a Steeler, is still on the board, along with Georgia tackle Amarius Mims.
Their scouts have a penchant for sniffing out receiver talent in the later rounds and it’s a deep class.
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