Steelers Options At WR In The 2024 NFL Draft
Now that the Steelers have shipped Diontae Johnson to Carolina, they have a glaring hole at the wide receiver position. Luckily, drafting wide receivers has been Pittsburgh’s area of expertise for a while now, and they will likely be looking for at least one pass catcher next month at the NFL Draft. We might not know who the starting quarterback is going to be, but it will be key to rebuild the weaponry in either case.
George Pickens showed the world he could be a WR1 last season, leading the league in yards per reception with 18.1 yards and posting 1,140 receiving yards on just 63 receptions and five touchdowns. He proved he can be a star in this league and he may have gotten an upgrade at quarterback. Scary stuff, but he still needs help. The Steelers might be able to find it in this loaded wide receiver class.
Rome Odunze
Although this feels like a longshot as Washington’s Star pass catcher will certainly be gone by the Steelers selection at pick 20 if the Steelers wanted to make a splash and trade up, this could be the guy. Many people noticed that the Steelers liked him at the NFL Combine, but it feels unlikely.
Rome Odunze was a star at Washington. The 21-year-old was a Consensus All-American in 2023 along with First Team All PAC 12 honors the past two seasons. Scouts have pegged him as a good separator with good body control and ball skills. The big receiver played in 15 games last season, hauling in 92 receptions for an NCAA-leading 1,640 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns. He’d be the WR1 in a lot of draft classes.
Ladd McConkey
We know how much the Steelers love Georgia players and the 22-year-old Ladd McConkey should be no different. The Steelers just sent the house to Georgia’s Pro Day and Mike Tomlin was seen chopping it up with him among many at the Senior Bowl. McConkey is a two-time College Football Playoff Champion and was Second Team All-SEC in 2022. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The speed is serious and the Steelers could use a slot receiver.
Although he battled Back and Ankle injuries last season, McConkey played in nine games and caught 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. He had a better year in 2022 when he played 15 games and totaled 58 receptions for 762 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. If the Steelers go with an Offensive Lineman in round one, McConkey could be an option in round two.
Xavier Legette
Born and raised in South Carolina, Xavier Legette played five seasons at South Carolina. He popped off last season where he played in 12 games and caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished third in the SEC in receptions and eighth in the NCAA in receiving yards in 2023.
Legette ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine. He’s an athletic freak at 6’1 and 221 pounds. The 23-year-old had 217 receiving yards in a game against Jacksonville State last season. If they go looking at the time, there is another second to third-round option for the Steelers.
Ricky Pearsall
The Former Arizona State transfer to Florida Ricky Pearsall had one of the best catches in college football history last season. You’ve probably seen it without even knowing it. Pearsall stands at 6’1 and 189 pounds, running a 4.41 40-yard dash. He also has a 42-inch vertical jump. Sheesh.
After transferring to Florida for his final two seasons, Pearsall posted 98 receptions for 1,626 yards and 12 touchdowns in 25 games. Scouts say he has soft hands and is a good adjustor. He was a participant at the 2024 Senior Bowl and has had a pre-draft meeting with the Steelers.
Longhorns To Steelers?
Texas has two good receivers in this draft class and both can be great receivers at the next level, starting With Adonai Mitchell, the big-body receiver who spent two years at Georgia, winning a National Championship in both years before transferring to Texas. He caught a 40-yard go-ahead touchdown in the 2022 CFP Championship Game, so we know he loves the bright lights.
In 2023 in Texas, Mitchell found a ton of success. He led the Big 12 in Receiving Touchdowns and was eighth in Receptions and Receiving Yards, good enough for Second Team All-Big 12. His NFL Player Comparison is George Pickens, weirdly enough. Scouts have pegged him as a jump ball winner with quick feet, good yards after the catch, and a ridiculous catch web. He also runs a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
The other Texas wideout, Xavier Worthy is more of a speedster than Mitchell, setting a combine record by running a 4.21 40-yard dash that broke the internet. In 2023, Worthy ranked third in receptions and second in receiving yards. He ranked top four in receptions and top 5 in receiving yards all three years he spent in the Big 12. His NFL player comparison is Darnell Mooney, and scouts say he has elite speed and is a good space-creator.
Roman Wilson
Weighing in at 5’11 and 185 pounds at the NFL Combine, Michigan wideout Roman Wilson feels like he could be the Steelers next small, late round receiver to blossom into a good NFL career. He’s a guy who isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty, has explosive speed, and can separate when the play extends.
In a season that saw Wilson and Michigan capture a National Championship, Wilson played in 15 games and caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per catch. He finished third in the Big Ten in Touchdowns and sixth in Receiving Yards. He also ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and scouts have pinned his pro player comparison as Marvin Mims Jr of the Broncos. He’s a lottery ticket, but could be worth the late round pick if he’s there for the Steelers.
Xavier Weaver
Another late-round lottery ticket, Xavier Weaver was a beast at Colorado last year, but seems to be regarded as an unpolished prospect who doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of love. He’ll likely go late in the draft if not undrafted. He played four seasons at South Florida before the transfer to Colorado to play under Football Legend Deion Sanders. Scouts think he’s a good route runner that’s slippery after the catch, but can be bullied off the ball by physical defensive backs and has missed some time due to injury.
Weaver’s 2023 season at Colorado saw him play in 11 games, catching 68 receptions for 908 yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Good enough for eighth in the Pac-12 in receptions, ninth in receiving yards, and third in punt return yards. He posted over 75 receiving yards in seven games in 2023 while playing with Shedeur Sanders.
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