Steelers' Shocking Draft Day Curveball Is A Very Real Possibility

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem poised to select a center or offensive tackle with their 20th overall pick in the first round. It's widely acknowledged that these are the primary positions the Steelers will prioritize early on. However, there's another pressing need at the wide receiver position that must be addressed.

While the expectation is that the Steelers will opt for an offensive lineman in the first round, national insiders speculate that the team may surprise everyone with an unexpected draft strategy.

Andrew Fillipponi, on his show The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller, hinted at a significant curveball that could shake up the Steelers' draft day plans. This insight comes after two insiders both mocked the LSU star wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to the Steelers at the 20th pick in round one.

"Two days in a row, two of the information merchants, Peter Schrager and Jonathan Jones. Jones is CBS’ top insider. He’s their version of Jay Glazer, and Schrager is on NFL Network… His mock draft last year… was the second most accurate behind Peter King."

Chris Mueller, one of the show's co-hosts, explained how Schrager had a remarkable ascent to the top as an insider due to his natural talent for engaging in conversations and gathering information. He highlighted this to suggest that the predictions of Schrager and Jones, who both projected Thomas to the Steelers, could signal a significant surprise in the draft.

"Both of these guys in the last 24 hours have mocked Brian Thomas Jr., the wide receiver from LSU, to the Steelers. I think everyone in Pittsburgh thinks the Steelers will take a wide receiver, but very few expect them to take one at that spot."

Fillipponi further discussed how individuals with access to insider information and a deeper understanding of the league were predicting that Thomas would be chosen by the Steelers.

“Two guys go with Brian Thomas and they are not people who study players. They are more getting information from people around the league.”

Fillipponi emphasized that he doesn't believe the Steelers should use a top pick on a wide receiver, given the depth of talent in this draft. He argued that it's possible to find quality players later on while addressing more pressing needs earlier. To illustrate his point, he drew a comparison between Thomas and former Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant.

The notion of the Steelers selecting a wide receiver in the first round is intriguing and would certainly be surprising. Many observers anticipate the team focusing on a center or tackle with their first-round pick, with Graham Barton from Duke frequently linked to this selection spot.

Despite efforts to acquire another prominent wide receiver through trade, the Steelers have been unsuccessful thus far. Reports suggest they are eager to find a standout receiver to complement George Pickens. Perhaps selecting Thomas would make more sense than many realize, potentially serving as the draft day curveball that catches Steelers fans off guard.

Steelers' Wide Receiver Room Will Improve After The Draft Ends

Adding a player like Thomas would inject optimism into the Steelers' wide receiver corps immediately. He possesses the combination of size, speed, and physicality to dominate defensive backs and stretch the field vertically. While some have raised concerns about his route-running, every prospect has areas for improvement. Many experts consider him one of the most talented wide receivers in the draft.

It remains uncertain whether this speculation is merely a smokescreen or if Schrager and Jones are privy to information suggesting that Thomas is genuinely being considered by the Steelers if he's still on the board at 20. 

However, it's highly probable that the Steelers will prioritize addressing the wide receiver position to bolster their offensive capabilities in 2024. The team faced significant offensive challenges in 2023, and they are eager for a substantial improvement in performance this year, especially with new quarterbacks and an offensive coordinator on board.