The Pittsburgh Steelers are being recognized for having one of the best draft classes in the entire NFL. The weekend was extremely exciting for fans and General Manager Omar Khan addressed every key need that the team had in some form. Wide receiver remains a bit of a mystery, but the team was able to land second-round graded wideout Roman Wilson out of the University of Michigan with the 84th overall selection.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
It was quite shocking that Wilson was still on the board well into round three. What's even more surprising is news that came out on Tuesday evening. The New York Jets tried to trade up in round two, but failed, only to get the the first pick in the third round from the Carolina Panthers in a deal. With the selection, New York grabbed dynamic play-maker Malachi Corley out of Western Kentucky. What other wideout was on their radar with the trade-up? None other than the newest Steeler in Wilson.
Jets released footage of Joe Douglas attempting to trade up for Malachi Corley multiple times, until he finally got a deal done with Carolina
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) May 1, 2024
(Jets were also considering Roman Wilson. And Douglas was very excited the Colts drafted AD Mitchell) pic.twitter.com/TNuybZgs7c
Fans in Pittsburgh had both Wilson and Corley wearing the black and gold in a number of mock drafts, and landing one of them was certainly a positive. The fact that Wilson plummeted all the way down 19 more spots to the Steelers should be considered a huge win for the Steel City.
Ryan Kang / Getty Images
Former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roam Wilson (#1) showboats his way into the end zone after a big play during a collegiate football game.
While there remain questions surrounding the position, Wilson will bring a fresh face to the room and have multiple veterans around him to get used to the NFL. His potential remains not fully tapped after his offense in college was run-heavy. He has the ability to play on the outside and in the slot, which led to his versatility being valued by Pittsburgh's front office.
The Steelers needed a receiver regardless. More resources may still be on the way, but Wilson was a player with a second-round grade by plenty of draft analysts. He comes from a winning pedigree with the Michigan. It doesn't hurt that the Wolverines played smash-mouth football and he isn't afraid to block downfield, either. He belongs in Pittsburgh and should step right in to contribute with George Pickens.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5374-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
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Steelers wide receiver George Pickens walks off the field as the team practices during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Got Productive Play-maker Who Can Step In Right Away
Wilson, in total, hauled in 107 passes for a total of 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns during his four-year collegiate career with the Wolverines. Pittsburgh has a knack for successfully picking up pass-catchers outside of the first round. Wilson will now have to live up to that expectation and quickly become a feature in the Steelers' offense that is desperately looking for some extra juice aside from Pickens and Pat Freiermuth in the passing game.
Did you like the selection of Wilson? Are you happy he fell out of the second round and all the way to 84? Let us know in the comments below!
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