Steelers Land Uber-Talented WR in New Mock Draft

The Steelers are struggling into December, and now that some of the playoff hopes seem to be slipping away, the impending draft cycle is certainly one to watch. For one, wide receiver could be a position that the team looks to shore up and get more weapons around Kenny Pickett or whoever the quarterback maybe next season.

In a new mock draft by Matt Miller of ESPN, he has the Steelers looking to Washington to draft the very talented Rome Odunze. Along with Michael Penix, Odunze has become a key cog in helping Washington surge into the College Football Playoffs and is slated to go early in the first round. But in this case, he falls right into Pittsburgh’s lap.

“Diontae Johnson’s contract expires at the end of 2024, so there’s room for Pittsburgh to add a physical, downfield threat with elite after-the-catch ability to the depth chart,” Miller said. “Odunze has been the WR1 at Washington for three seasons, catching 25 touchdowns in that time while proving himself to be one of the most physical wideouts in college football. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Odunze could pair with George Pickens to form a duo that would rival Cincinnati’s WR group in the AFC North.”

Odunze is a versatile player who can move all over the formation. And while he has a similar height profile to Pickens, they are different players, so there is not a ton of overlap there. As Miller notes, there is too much talent in that room to be unable to scheme things up and make things happen at that point. He has excellent long speed that would allow him to stretch the field and become a great complement to what Pickens and Johnson bring to the table. Plus, if he falls so far, the value is there as the best player available in what is a loaded wide receiver class.