Steelers' Potential Wide Receiver Target In First Round 'Basically A One-Year Wonder'

The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2024 offseason with a quarterback problem. That situation was completely resolved once General Manager Omar Khan revamped the room. The additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields made a strong statement that the organization was recognizing the need for a change in that area. Khan and co. also made decisions regarding the wide receiver position. Diontae Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers, while Allen Robinson II was released due to financial reasons. Not having a solidified number two is making fans wonder about the possibility of drafting a wideout in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Steelers have needs on both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as at cornerback. The wide receiver draft class is extremely deep, which leads one to believe that Pittsburgh will do what they do best regarding the NFL Draft: finding talented pass-catchers in the mid-to-later rounds. That doesn't mean anyone is ruling out Khan targeting one in the first round, however. 

The unquestioned top three wideouts are all expected to be selected in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze will all hear their name called very early. Barring a trade-up, Pittsburgh will have the opportunity to select one of the next-best prospects. One of the best available when the Steelers pick at 20th overall should be Brian Thomas Jr. out of Louisiana State University (LSU).

While Thomas is looked at as one of the best receivers in the class, a top draft analyst has serious questions about his future. Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates discussed Kiper's top 25 prospects on the most recent episode of the First Draft podcast, and the long-time analyst essentially called Thomas a one-hit wonder after a dominant 2023 season for the Tigers.

"He can go track the ball, we get that," Kiper said. "Will he be a complete wide receiver in the National Football League? He is basically a one-year wonder, and will he be complete, do all the other things you need to do as a receiver against these big-time physical corners in the NFL? That's why I'm probably going to push him down just a bit when my final rankings come out."

There are plenty of things to like about Thomas, especially his 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023. He's also 6'5" and 200 pounds. However, he only had 720 total receiving yards in his first two seasons at LSU. Is one year of nearly 1,200 and 17 touchdowns enough to justify a first-round selection?

With the Steelers' glaring needs on the offensive line and at cornerback, no one should be locking in a wide receiver in the first round. That's where Thomas is going to go. He has all the physical traits to be a dominant receiver at the next level, but with other areas to address, Khan could elect to stay away from him when it comes to the 20th overall pick.

Pittsburgh is facing a unique situation with one top wideout in George Pickens and a bunch of role players alongside him. Any rookie pass-catcher coming to the Steel City should be licking his chops, as the opportunity to blossom very early on will be present. Khan's only draft as the team's general manager was in 2023, and the Steelers did not take a receiver, so this will be his first go-around trying to live up to the expectations that Kevin Colbert set for two decades.

Steelers Can't Afford To Miss At Wide Receiver Position

Pickens has the chance to be a star in the NFL, but needs a significant player on the other side of him. Without that, teams will double-team him and disallow Pittsburgh to target him 10 or more times per game. Bringing in play-makers at the position are still at the forefront of necessary moves that need to be made. It remains to be seen how Khan will approach it.