The Pittsburgh Steelers are leaving behind pro days and film rooms as the beginning of April marks the time for the NFL Draft. In less than a month, a new generation of players will dawn the black and gold, and roster positions will be filled. The early selections belong to glaring positions of need, but what about the later choices?
Photo Credit: Michael Conroy / AP Photo
Steelers general manager, Omar Khan speaks to the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
The Steelers have an opportunity to bring in a new wide receiver in these later rounds and add depth at the skill position. Plenty of talented players received late-round grades, like Penn State's Mitchell Tinsley at a position that is important for a young QB, his targets. Pittsburgh is notorious for cashing in on late-round draft choices at the receiver position and this year could be no different. Tinsley is an intriguing prospect in the late rounds, standing at 6'0" and 199 lbs. possessing an NFL frame with big hands. A player that would primarily play in the slot with the ability to catch in traffic would complement Pat Freiermuth and be a reliable target for Kenny Pickett.
With first-round interest being in another Penn State player in Joey Porter Jr. and other talents across the board coming out of Happy Valley, and assistant GM Andy Weidl being in attendance at his pro day, Tinsley could join a long lineage of late-round receivers by Pittsburgh and become a valuable roster piece.
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jake Bobo is a boundary prospect measuring 6'4" and 204 lbs. Helping lead a good 9-4 UCLA Bruins time in receptions, yards, and catches, the questions surrounding Bobo are in his route running ability compared to his frame. With Bobo, gaining weight and lining up at tight end is also an option. Big, strong pass-catchers are a commodity you can never have too much of, and Jake Bobo available in the late rounds of the draft adds one of those players to the Steelers roster.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton shined in Indianapolis with a blend of size and speed that is tantalizing to NFL rosters. Ford-Wheaton came into Indianapolis at 6'4" and 228 lbs. running a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash. A physical freak, Ford-Wheaton has the speed to play across the middle and the height to play the border. At West Virginia, Frod-Wheaton aligned as the traditional X receiver and in the slot in some bunch formations. He would be a project that could end up with tremendous upside if the Steelers decided to take a chance on West Virginia star.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
A quality all three of these players share is the ability to run block. Upgrades at the offensive line and the one-two punch of Najee Harris and Jalen Warren will lead to better blocking. The ability to come in and excel as a run blocker will translate to more time on the field for young receivers who look to make the roster.
Who do you think the Steelers should draft? What skill position changes would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
