Steelers Make A Strong Move And Draft A Receiver In The First Round: 'It's What I'm Hearing From My Sources Around The League'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for one of the most important three day stretches of the year starting on April 25th, the 2024 NFL Draft. It is difficult to give a surefire answer to who the Steelers will be using the 20th overall pick on, as it's even difficult to take a guess on what position they will be drafting first. Offensive tackle and cornerback seem to be the top candidates, with many players from both positions taking pre-draft visits to Pittsburgh, and both positions obviously needing to be upgraded. It's also hard not to rule out wide receiver, as George Pickens still needs a true number two receiver behind him. 

The Steelers have a strong history of getting their receivers from the second round of the draft, and on. Just recently, the Steelers drafted Pickens in the second round, as well as Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster in prior years. Whether Steelers fans like the latter of those three players or not, it can't be denied that they each had some success in Pittsburgh that led to victories. Peter Schrager, co-host of Good Morning Football, and writer for Fox Sports and the NFL, suggests that the Steelers will stray away from their typical draft formula and select Brian Thomas Jr. out of LSU in his recent mock draft. 

"I'm still keeping an eye on Steelers GM Omar Khan to make a splash at wide receiver this offseason. Could that be a trade for Brandon Aiyuk? If not, Thomas is special who helped himself at the combine as much as any player at the position."

The Steelers currently have the best odds to acquire Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers. It is still a long shot Aiyuk leaves San Francisco, and if it does happen, it probably won't come to fruition until the night of the draft. Obviously, if Pittsburgh is able to acquire Aiyuk, or a receiver of his talent level, the need for a wide receiver through the draft diminishes dramatically. It would make it much easier for Omar Khan to draft a lineman or a cornerback with the Steelers' first pick, which would likely be in the second round because a trade for Aiyuk could warrant trading away the 20th overall selection. 

Thomas Jr. would be a good addition to the Steelers wide receiver room, which definitely needs some help. The clear first option at receiver is Pickens, but then there is a large drop off before getting to the likes of Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, and Quez Watkins. Those three players could be good weapons, but shouldn't be relied upon as a second option at receiver. Thomas Jr. is a great deep threat who could contribute right away and should be able to take some pressure off of Pickens. 

Steelers Absolutely Taking Thomas Jr. Based On Schrager's Confidence

Schrager wanted it known that his first mock draft of the offseason is not poisoned with any biased opinions; it is strictly based on what he has heard over the last few months through talking with scouts and his sources within the league, and with certain organizations. He even posted on X, and had a written disclaimer before his actual mock draft. 

"REMINDER: As always, this isn't what I would do -- it's what I'm hearing from my sources around the league." 

It's important to keep in mind that most analysts who work for large networks that release mock drafts are usually speaking with sources and scouts within the NFL and within certain organizations. Unlike most analysts, Schrager waits till the NFL Draft is under 10 days away to release his first mock draft, which allows him to gather as much information as possible and put together a sound and well thought out first round. 

"Just submitted my first of two mock drafts. If you know, you know -- I don't throw darts at a wall. Agonizing exercise." 

It's obvious Schrager believes his mock draft has more validity than others that are seen on the internet. He will be releasing one more before the NFL Draft, and it will be interesting to see any changes that are made over this late week-and-a-half. It's hard to imagine the Steelers taking a wide receiver in the first round, seeing as they haven't done so since 2006 when the organization selected Santonio Holmes with the 25th overall pick.