Steelers' Perfect Solution At Wide Receiver Lies In The Town Of Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a wide receiver problem. Trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers may have been necessary from a locker room and distraction standpoint, but it left a huge void to fill. George Pickens is the only reliable one out of a group that includes Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins. The free agent options are significantly less attractive than they were when the new league year first started in early March, and even a guy like Tyler Boyd seems to be out of the picture for the moment. Unless a big trade materializes, General Manager Omar Khan will target one, or more, pass-catchers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This is one of the deepest receiver classes in some time, which will benefit an organization like Pittsburgh that has often found a ton of success drafting the position after the first round. There were rumors about Brandon Aiyuk coming to the Steel City via trade, but it's his current teammate, Deebo Samuel, that could find his way to the Steelers. Well, sort of.

Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky has all of the tools to be a dynamic play-maker in the NFL. He stands at 5'11", but has a massive frame, weighing in at roughly 215 pounds. He's unlikely to be a first-rounder, but impressed at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and is drawing fierce comparisons to Samuel, who is one of the shiftiest players in the league.

The issue may become his quick rise to the top of draft boards. As Jordan Schultz mentions above on The Pat McAfee Show, the wideout has a Top 30 visit with the Steelers, among several other teams. It's unlikely that Pittsburgh targets him, or any receiver for that matter, in round one with glaring holes at the center and tackle positions.

Corley played in 49 collegiate games and had his best year during his junior season when he hauled in 101 catches, 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns. He found the end zone 29 times in his final three campaigns. He's more than just a guy who can move around and cause headaches for defenses. The guy is a play-maker and would be a phenomenal weapon in Arthur Smith's incoming offense.

Steelers' new wide receiver coach, Zach Azzanni, was reportedly at the Western Kentucky Pro Day along with eight other coaches with the same title around the NFL. The significant interest in the pass-catcher should make fans in Pittsburgh worry about him potentially not falling all the way to the 51st overall pick (second round). He may very well be gone by then.

All signs are pointing to Khan targeting at least one receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. The prospect of him selecting two is nowhere near out of the question, either. Corley is one of the best options for the Steelers, but the question remains regarding his draft stock. He could continue to skyrocket up boards and end up going in the backend of the first round. Corley and Pickens would be a scary combination.

Steelers Have A Plan To Execute Following Johnson Trade

Pittsburgh wouldn't have moved on from Johnson if there wasn't already a plan in play to revamp the receiving core. With many of the free agents already signed to other teams, the draft is the most likely scenario to do this. The class is deep, and options will be available in every round. If Corley is sitting there at 51, it'd be incredibly tempting for Khan and co. The wideout is certainly a name to keep an eye on.

Would you want to see Corley in the black and gold? Let us know in the comments below!

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