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?

 

You mean LOVES TO.

 

I don't think the Steelers will take a WR in the first two rounds. IMO, McCarthy will give Wilson a chance.

 

Yeah, they should give Roman a chance but that shouldn't stop them drafting a WR early.

 

I think we should draft a Tackle in the first. Then there are positiions with stud players who might drop i.e. if 1 of the top 2 safeties dropped. or the injured corner a corner McCoy or Vega the Guard. Now of all of those are taken. I'll consider a trade back if its an option.

But if all fails and i have to draft at 21.... I am taking KC Conceptlcion over most players ranked ahead of him

 

Roman Wilson hasn't done anything and he has not given the team any reason to think that he will.

My opinion is Roman needs to transform his body... He isn't fast or strong enough to play in the NFL...he was good enough to get by in College.


Omar Cooper looks legit, I'd say the odds of him being a bust are almost 0.

 

Cooper looks like a good one. Bernard looks like a good one. There are a few WRs in this draft that don't have that first round shine but will probably be good possession guys. Goto players on 3rd down.

 

Fit is the thing here. With Pittman n DK we already have the big contested catch guys. Who’s the speedy in the middle YAC guy that’s going to kill the D trying to guard the aforementioned biggies? And who in this draft fits that bill that’s not Tate UNLESS we move up for him?

Tyson scares me with injuries but fits. Concepcion?

 

Is the value at WR going to be there at 21 or 53? I would rather BPA.

 

I have been a K.C. fan since November of last year. Haven't backed off on it. Among the YAC demons in the class, K.C. gets my vote for his COD, overall explosiveness, overall agility and leverage are either among the best in the class or the very best. Add in his versatility along with his ability to consistently beat press and you truly have something special with K.C.


Only reason I can hear arguments for Omar Cooper is that he has the better floor of the two. Omar can come in and will be a reliable, dependable asset day one. K.C. possesses the higher ceiling and is among the top players in the entire class with such a ceiling.

 

21 should be MIPA (Most Impactful Player Available). That position could be anything; Wide Receiver included.


If the option isn't a Wideout in Round 1, I would attempt to trade up for the likes of Chris Brazzell II or Germaine Bernard in Round 2. Both would yield great results though for me, Bernard would be the better pick.

 

He isn't just damn explosive.


Even as a Rookie, I can argue that K.C. has Top 10 explosiveness (at worst) to even Top 5 (at best) the second he steps onto the field. K.C. is the latest iteration of what some can call a human joystick. That combination of body control, COD, overall agility, overall explosiveness, leverage and ability to consistently beat press at the LOS is something that is not often seen. Some Wide outs have some of these qualities. Others do have them but cannot do all of them consistently. Very few like K.C. have all of them and be consistent.

 

How long will Pittman and DK be around though? They both are 28. I'd take both a slot and an outside guy. Doesn't matter who is first.

I'd be stacking up the roster for whoever our future QB is.

 

At 21 I don't believe the WRs that will most likely be available will be worth it. I would go with Thieneman, McDonald, Ioane at 21. We also have question marks at ILB. Queen is horrible and Wilson is getting pushed around. Holcomb is returning from a devastating knee injury. With the signing of Pittman it eases the pain. I also believe McCarthy will get more out of Roman. That's not to say WR should be neglected in the draft. It really depends how this draft falls after each round, like most drafts. Bernard and Brazzell could both be available at 53.

 

But the same can be said for many other positions. Benton isn't a 0 tech.