Pittsburgh Steelers Urged to Add Deep-Threat Opposite George Pickens

While George Pickens remains a matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries and one of the burgeoning young playmakers at the receiver position across the league, Pittsburgh is going to need to continue to add reliable pass-catchers for Wilson and Justin Fields as the 2024 season looms.

Pittsburgh Steelers Best Fit at WR Revealed

With the NFL Draft nearing, ESPN’s Matt Miller selected the best “value” selection for all 32 teams during the first round, and, Texas’ Adonai Mitchell is Miller’s selection for the Steelers.

“Mitchell comes in at No. 18 on the final board for me,” Mitchell writes for ESPN. “The Steelers have to love that value, but it does fill a hole, too. With Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields now under center, Pittsburgh must replace Diontae Johnson at receiver.”

Mitchell’s vertical speed would go a long way towards replacing Johnson in the Steelers’ vertical passing game.

At the NFL Combine, Mitchell ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.32 seconds, after catching 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at the University of Texas.

Adonai Mitchell NFL Draft Scouting Report

In a lot of ways Mitchell fits the profile of receivers the Steelers have historically targeted through the NFL Draft, and could be even more explosive in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense than Drake London was in Atlanta.

As Pro Football Focus points out, Mitchell averaged 3.2 yards after the catch per reception with an average depth of target of 16 yards.

“Ascending prospect with size,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Mitchell. “Speed and ball skills to become a very good NFL receiver, but he’s still in the process of bridging those traits. Mitchell can beat press and has the speed to take the battle to the third level but he’s still learning the art of bullying the catch space in tight quarters and jump-ball battles.”