Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft starting on April 25th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
Brian Thomas Jr. (Wide Receiver), LSU, Junior
Brian Thomas Jr. stands in at 6'4" tall, weighing 205lbs, and is probably the best deep threat in this draft class.
Danny Wild / USA Today Sports
Brian Thomas Jr. was an excellent deep threat for the LSU Tigers, and that ability will be highly sought after in the NFL.
Steelers Overview
Thomas has a unique ability to get down the field in a hurry to get by the defense and make some acrobatic catches for huge gains. He is big, he is fast, and he can stretch the field like most can't. His 17.3 yards per catch in 2023 is proof of that, and with Arthur Smith bringing in a vertical passing game, Thomas might fit right in with the Steelers.
Pros:
- Great height and size to fight for the ball down the field
- Quick feet at the line of scrimmage
- Good blocker
- Finds the end zone, led nation in touchdowns
- One-cut routes he is able to gain good separation
- Excellent at stacking and shielding off defenders down the field
- Run after the catch can be deadly if he reaches the open field
Cons:
- Wasn't asked to run a full route tree, primarily vertical or crossing routes
- Not going to make many people miss in space if he doesn't out run them
- Not as physical as he could be fighting through defenders
- Routes that require multiple cuts or breaks can be slow
The Steelers wide receiver room is a mess at this moment. As of writing this, the team has released Allen Robinson and traded away Diontae Johnson, but have not signed anyone additional yet. With Smith bringing in a new offense that puts an emphasis on passes down the field off of play action, and the lack of bodies in the wide receiver room currently, it would not surprise anyone if the team had their eye on Thomas in the first round.
Reagan Cotton
Brian Thomas Jr. has a unique ability to find the end zone, regardless of where his team is on the field.
Route Running and Separation
Due to his ability to beat the defense down the field, Thomas didn't run a very complicated route tree. He primarily ran vertical routes, crossing routes, and hitches. All of those are designed to put a strong emphasis on his length and speed, but didn't showcase his ability to create separation in other ways. He has the foot speed and athleticism to run a full route tree, but it is unclear how polished those skills are at this time and if that will ever be a huge part of his game.
Athleticism and RAC
No question that Thomas is a good athlete, and once the ball in his hands, he is definitely a threat. With 4.33 speed any time he touches the ball, it is dangerous, as he makes quick decisions to sprint towards the open field. He isn't as shifty as some others with the ball in his hands, but if he gets an angle to get the corner, he can take it the distance in an instant.
Michael Chang / Getty Images
Steelers could potentially target Brian Thomas Jr early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
IQ and Hands
While Thomas didn't get to run a full route tree, he really understands how to manipulate his defender by boxing them out or stacking them to ensure he is the only one with a shot to make a play on the ball. He also displays a good understanding of when to throttle down in zone coverage on crossing routes, which helps make sure he isn't running himself into trouble. Overall, his hands are solid, and while he does have a couple drops that you wish he focused more on and brought in, it isn't a big concern.
NFL Comparison - Martavis Bryant
This is an interesting comparison because Bryant could be classified a flash in the pan, as he went from a big play threat for the Steelers, to out of the league in just a few seasons. However, Bryant and Thomas both have a unique ability, paired with some phenomenal speed, to get open down the field and create big plays for their offense. If the Steelers select Thomas, hopefully his career lasts longer than Bryant's did.
Draft Projection - First Round Pick
This is a very good wide receiver class, especially at the top. Even with that, Thomas is very likely going to be selected in the first round as his ability is something every team around the league is constantly looking for.
Let us know below what you think about Thomas as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the black and gold! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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