Steelers Land LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. in New Mock Draft

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 Saturday, Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network has the team landing LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

“This pick works two-fold for the Steelers. Not only does Brian Thomas Jr. fill a void following the Diontae Johnson trade, but he also fits Russell Wilson’s vertical style. My comp for Thomas is Javon Walker, who made the Pro Bowl with 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021,” Cummings said.

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.

Cummings did a seven-round mock draft, though, and the Steelers landed Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten in the second round and Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini with their first pick in the third round. So, that is an all-offensive draft in the first three picks, which would not surprise anyone. While the team has needs at cornerback and on the defensive line, it has more urgent needs offensively, and those positions have to be addressed for the team to hit its stride.