The 2020 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent at wide receiver. Here are three players who could fall to the Steelers after their performances on Thursday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a number of needs to fill this offseason and not a lot of money to fill them with. Mike Tomlin made Bud Dupree’s contract extension a priority early this offseason, but it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to come to an agreement on terms.
Meanwhile, Kevin Colbert subtlely hinted towards the strength at outside linebacker and offensive tackle this year. While this doesn’t mean that the Steelers will be drafting one of those positions, it makes it a possibility early in the draft.
Pittsburgh possessed the 30th ranked offense in the NFL last season, and adding talent to skill players is a possibility as well. NFL Combine drills kicked off Thursday night with quarterbacks, tight ends, and receivers taking the field. The 2020 draft class is loaded at the receiver position, but there is expected to be a run on them early in the draft.
However, testing didn’t exactly go as planned for some. Here are three wide receivers who could now be available to the Steelers after the Combine:
Jalen Reagor
Let’s be honest, there was very little chance of a player like Jalen Reagor falling to the Steelers prior to Thursday night. While Reagor impressed in drills on the field and was able to put up excellent explosion numbers, he speed and agility drills left some to be desired.
Reagor’s 4.47 40-yard dash was more than respectable, but some expected the former track star to run in the 4.3s. What was most disappointing was his numbers in the agility drills. Reagor put up a 7.31 3-cone and 4.46 20-yard shuttle – both well below average for the position.
At 5’11”, we expected much better results. This could cause him to slide in the draft. Pittsburgh shouldn’t read too much into this as he is still a young, explosive, dynamic receiver with terrific upside.
Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk didn’t have a bad Combine, by any means. However, some other players may have leap-frogged him on draft boards. Analysts have differing opinions in Aiyuk – from a mid-to-late first-round pick all the way down to the middle of the second round.
There was a slight chance Aiyuk could have been available to the Steelers at pick 49 before the Combine, but thanks to terrific showings by players like Denzel Mims and Justin Jefferson, Aiyuk may have a chance to land in Pittsburgh with their first pick in the second round.
Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins opted out of participating in Combine drills, and that may have been the wrong decision. Choosing not to participate in drills often raises eyebrows and leaves scouts second-guessing his timed athleticism.
Higgins is a player who most projected to land in the back half of the first round, but that could change after the Combine. Much is the case for Aiyuk, there were plenty of talented fringe first-round receivers who showed off their talent on Thursday, and unless he shows up huge at his Pro Day, Higgins could end up sliding in the draft.
Even if one of these receivers is available to the Steelers in the second round, there is no guarantee they go that direction. Though it is an otherworldly talented wide receiver class, the Steelers have other needs to fill. Keep an eye on their Pro Day and pre-draft visits to see who they have interest in.