Brugler: Steelers Might be ‘The Floor’ for LSU WR Brian Thomas

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a large need at wide receiver after free agency since they traded Diontae Johnson, and that at least opens up the door for the position to be considered in the first round. Considering the team met with all the top wide receivers at the NFL Combine, it has to be at least considered a possibility.

In a new mock draft on Tuesday, CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones has the team landing LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

“The LSU receiver could easily come off the board earlier than this. But after the Diontae Johnson trade, the Steelers will want to add a receiver. And we know that’s a position they draft well,” Jones wrote.

Peter Schrager did the same thing last week in his source-aided mock draft. So, what gives? Andy Weidl did go to LSU’s pro day, but the team never brought him in for a pre-draft visit. In other words, some things do not totally line up. But Dane Brugler added more fuel to the fire, stating that the Steelers love Thomas and they could be his floor.

“This might be his floor,” Brugler said on the Yahoo Fantasy Sports Podcast. “If he doesn’t go off the board before 20, I think this might be the floor for him. I’ve heard they love Brian Thomas.”

Thomas is a freak athlete who can make plays above the rim. He is an entirely different player than Johnson, which raises some questions about the pick, but there is no doubt that Thomas has the requisite tools to appeal to the Steelers. His height, weight, and speed combination allows him to win on the outside and vertically, but more than anything, he is a guy who gives 100 percent on every play. Even though the profile reads like George Pickens, he is different than him, too. Thomas has some Matravis Bryant traits in his game.

The Steelers have not shown much outward interest in him, though, so it raises a few questions about if he will be the pick. This certainly is shaping up to be a pick where the Steelers address the offensive line.