Identifying Steelers' 2023 NFL Draft Targets At Wide Receiver; A Primary Need Once Again

For the most part, everyone knows the primary needs for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. The front office hasn't been shy about it either in the pre-draft process, meeting with the top cornerbacks, linebackers, and linemen of this year's class. As we know however, the Steelers are known for their historical success in drafting and developing wide receivers.

Pittsburgh has been particularly exceptional in the middle rounds, where they've found several gems. Antonio Brown was just a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the most notable example. Perhaps a bit under the radar, the Steelers are in the market for a wideout once again. In fact, they've picked a WR in all but two drafts since 2005. That's 16 of the 18 drafts, an 88.9% rate, so it seems like a lock they'll draft another.

George Pickens and Diontae Johnson are locked in as the team's top two wideouts, but the room is a bit unclear after that. The team has high expectations for 2022 fourth-rounder Calvin Austin III, but there are injury and size concerns. Point is, the Steelers need another weapon. They have met with three wideouts thus far, as each team is given just 30 pre-draft visits.

The three that they have met with are Purdue's Charlie Jones, Ole Miss' Jonathan Mingo, and now most recently, Michigan State's Jayden Reed. Justin M from The Draft Network tweeted out that the Steelers, along with the Chicago Bears, are meeting with Reed. The Michigan State product is seen as an under-the-radar target in the draft, and he would be a great addition to the black and gold's WR room. 

In three seasons in the Big 10 with the Spartans, Reed accumulated 147 catches for 2,069 yards and 19 total touchdowns. When examining the guys they have been interested in, they are all vary in body sizes and prototypes. The team needs a slot wideout, as that was left quite empty in 2022 with JuJu Smith-Schuster no longer in the fold. Jones fits the prototypical slot wideout mold, and he had quite the campaign in 2022 after transferring from Iowa.

Mingo is a bit different, as evidenced by his Relative Athletic Score of 9.89 at the Combine. The Ole Miss star has quite the size and speed combination, one that certainly intrigues fans. While he wasn't super productive in his four seasons in the SEC, he has potential to become a star at the next level. Reed, like Jones, is more of a guy that you fall in love with while watching tape. His size and lack of vertical severely hurt his individual RAS in Indianapolis.

Surprisingly, the team hasn't shown much of an interest in USC playmaker Jordan Addison. That comes as a little bit of a surprise, as he enjoyed a ton of success at the University of Pittsburgh with Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett. The two have hinted at the possibility of a reunion, but it doesn't seem likely at this point. Addison didn't test particularly well at the 2023 NFL Combine, as he ran a disappointing 4.55 40-yard dash time.

Are you surprised by the Steelers' lack of interest in Addison?

There are size concerns at the next level for Addison, as well as his injury-plagued 2022 campaign at USC. That, coupled with the fact that he may go in the first round, makes it unlikely that he ends up in Pittsburgh. Instead, the middle rounds seem more likely. Jones and Reed seem to be middle-to-late round draft picks, so they could be possibilities. Mingo, the third guy they met with, has seen his draft stock soar over the past few weeks, so he would likely have to be taken in the second round.

One other guy to keep an eye on could be Xavier Hutchinson out of Iowa State. He enjoyed three very productive seasons in the Big 12 and while he doesn't have one standout trait, he gets open consistently and has sure hands. Additionally, head coach Mike Tomlin attended Hutchinson's Pro Day in Ames in March. He was even seen coaching up the 22-year-old as he worked out in front of NFL scouts.

It's quite clear the Steelers are trending toward selecting a wide receiver in this month's draft. The veteran market is quite thin at this point, as Odell Beckham Jr. was never going to happen despite Dan Orlovsky's suggestion. It's a room that purely needs more talent at this point. The 80th overall pick is where the selection of a wideout makes sense, assuming the first three picks are used on a cornerback, offensive tackle, and defensive lineman.

Which wideout would you like to see the team select in this draft? Should they consider drafting a WR early for a guy like Addison or someone else? Who do you think the team will end up picking? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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