WR's

Personally I think the evaluations on a couple of these guys are going to be dependent on where they play. Concepcion, Cooper, and Lemon are going to be slot guys at the next level. Not saying that you cant have an elite slot WR (Amon-Ra St. Brown is definitely that), but I think it is hard to evaluate those guys against X receivers like Tate and Tyson. What you're looking for out of the slot guys is the ability to slip initial coverage, great route running, explosive in and out of cuts, and great after the catch ability. I think each of the three have that to some degree. I personally like Cooper just a bit better than Concepcion, but its just a stylistic thing. Cooper is more of that "big slot" in the vein of St. Brown. He's got nice hands, can make contested catches, good at finding soft spots in zone, blocks well, and runs more like a RB in space with both elusiveness and some power. Concepcion is quite explosive, and is good in a lot of the areas Cooper is. He's also a returner. The only thing that concerns me with him is the drop rate and he's just not physical. I think both will be fine players in their own rights.

 

Lemon and Tyson could drop. Tate goes top 10 regardless. His speed wont affect him at all, as there are plenty of great WR's that run in the low 4.5's. 3 of the top 5 WR's in yards last year ran over 4.5 (JSN, Puka, St. Brown). Tate is a clear X receiver and will be some team's top target. Tyson is only dropping because of the concern that he reinjured his hammy. Being a hamstring, it won't affect him long term.. but there's still some pause there. Lemon was the biggest loser in the process IMO. If his meetings are as bad as they say, then I can see him dropping out of the first entirely. Solid enough player, but he's not so good that the personality and meetings don't matter.

 

Great call on Bell, he is flying under the radar in my opinion, would love for the Steelers to get him.

 

Chris Bell tore his ACL late last year and his availability at the beginning of the season is in doubt. If we were well stocked at WR and could draft him to play in 2027 that would be great but we are not well stocked at WR and need someone who can step in and help the team right away.

 

On KC Conception he is not just a slot guy! He is a 6 feet man who can shine in the mid to long routes. I view him as a good WR #2 and a slot guy. He is not very big or very fast. IE not what you are looking for in a #1 WR.


Since we addressed the position in free agent, the odds of picking a WR in round one or two have dropped.



One guy to watch is Fields.

WR Malchi Fields. A big receiver who has good hands and long arms. He has an amazing catch radius. A player who earns his bones not on speed but on using his size, smarts, route running and good hands. We lack such a player at WR. While I don't view him as starting material as a rookie, he can be a good package possession receiver. A target for us in round 3-5.



https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Malachi-Fields-WR-Virginia


- JB

 

Steelers have two outside receivers on the roster. Do you really want to use a first round pick on a slot WR?

 

Players take time to develop. If they draft a stud WR they would get reps at slot this year and hopefully develop to take outside reps over the following two years and provide excellent depth in the event of injuries.

So yeah, I would take a WR in the first. I wouldn't draft a slot WR skillet, I'd draft a guy with starting WR1 upside and play them in the slot (or plug in for any injuries).

If they develop quickly that also gives you a real option to move off Metcalfs contract if he declines after next year.

 

I see. So draft an X receiver and play him out of position.

 

I guess I haven't been paying attention, but I learned today that Hines Ward is Jordan Tyson's WR coach.

I wonder if this will help him climb up the Steelers board if the Steelers can use Hines Ward to get a little inside information on Jordan's injury?