2017 NFL Draft: The next crop of Pittsburgh Steelers

Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) gets ready for a play during the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Navy defeated East Carolina 66-31. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) gets ready for a play during the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Navy defeated East Carolina 66-31. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wide Receiver:

Assuming the worst, and that’s a pretty bad worst, Antonio Brown will not be returning to Pittsburgh this season, leaving a massive question mark at was once considered the squads deepest position.

Zay Jones, Eastern Carolina

Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) gets ready for a play during the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Navy defeated East Carolina 66-31. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Jones has been a beast for eastern Carolina in his years there saving the best setting the record for most catches in a season with 158 his senior season. The guy has hands and tremendous body control ability, something that has been missing among the receivers currently on the roster. He can prove to be a reliable and efficient target for Big Ben very quickly given his clutch ability.

2016 Stats: 158 catches, 1746 yards, 8 TDS.

Ryan Switzer, North Carolina

The speedster from UNC will be turning heads in the pre-draft workouts. Switzer is an athletic freak with potential to be a Swiss army knife, Tyreke Hill, Ty Montgomery type of player. His ability to run polished routes paired with ability to adjust will catch the eye of Todd Haley.

2016 Stats: 96 catches, 1112 yards, 6 TDS.