The Pittsburgh Steelers have completely reshaped their offense over the past week, but the work is far from done for GM Omar Khan.
Gone are Kenny Pickett (traded to Philadelphia), Mason Rudolph (signed with Tennessee) and Mitch Trubisky (signed with Buffalo). In comes nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller Russell Wilson (signed to a one-year deal) and former 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields, whom the Steelers acquired via trade to the Chicago Bears.
On top of that, the Steelers stunned the league by trading star wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. So unless Khan completes another big trade or free agent signing, one can only assume that Pittsburgh will use an early-round pick on a receiver.
In his latest 2024 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Pittsburgh Steelers replacing Pickett by selecting LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.:
“For new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to really thrive, though, the Steelers should add a replacement for wideout Diontae Johnson, who was traded to Carolina.
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.”
Also Read: NFL Insider Ian Rapoport Reveals Why Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Asked For A Trade
The Steelers have a long and successful history of finding impact WRs outside of the first round, with Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, JuJu Smith-Schuster, the aforementioned Johnson and George Pickens all serving as examples.
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But the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have too many other voids to fill, and this is a receiver-heavy draft class. With plenty of options available in the No. 20 slot, there’s a real good chance that the Steelers use a first-round pick on a WR for the first time since 2006, when they used the No. 25 pick on Santonio Holmes.
The New-Look Pittsburgh Steelers Offense
Few NFL units have undergone as much turnover this offseason than the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. All three of their QBs from last year are gone, with Wilson and Fields now atop the depth chart.
Aside from trading Johnson, the Steelers also signed former Los Angeles Rams standout Van Jefferson to shore up the WR depth. And to think that the Steelers are probably far from done, with at least one more big-named WR likely on the way…
Also Read: Russell Wilson Posts Three-Word Message To Social Media For Steelers Fans After Kenny Pickett Trade
