Steelers GM Kevin Colbert hints at addressing wide receiver later in NFL Draft

The Steelers have a severe lack of depth outside of their top three wide receivers. Here’s why Kevin Colbert’s recent remarks hint at addressing the WR position on day three.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted at least one wide receiver in every draft since 2011. So when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft, there’s no reason to think this year won’t be any different. Even though Mike Tomlin’s team is short-handed on draft choices, a wide receiver is something that has to be on their radar.

Just a few short years ago, the Steelers were rocking a receiving core that consists of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and JuJu Smith-Schuster as their top three guys. Though Pittsburgh made it a point this offseason to say they are comfortable with their young receivers upfront, there is no denying the severe lack of depth at the position.

Outside of JuJu, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington, the Steelers are left with just Deon Cain and Ryan Switzer from the 2019 roster. With Smith-Schuster’s contract set to expire after the 2020 season, a receiver is something the Steelers could look to address as early as their second-round pick. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Here’s what general manager Kevin Colbert had to say on the topic, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac:

Though Colbert’s words don’t necessarily mean that the Steelers will ignore the wide receiver position early, it’s sounding more and more like the receiver position is something Pittsburgh will address later in the draft.

The 2020 wide receiver class is one of the deepest I’ve seen in a decade, and is comparable to the 2014 WR class that produced players like Odell Beckham, Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Davanta Adams, Brandin Cooks, Jarvis Landry, Allen Robinson, Martavis Bryant, and more. It would be a mistake by the Steelers to ignore the position altogether, but are they going to address it too late?

In my opinion, the strength of this group falls between the first and third rounds of the draft. That is where you can find starting-level wideouts – several with some Pro Bowl upside.

Unfortunately, it appears the Steelers are content with taking some depth options perhaps starting somewhere in the fourth round. Still, in a talented group, it’s possible they could land a receiver who could develop into a solid WR3 or quality option off the bench.

However you slice it, not drafting a receiver this year would go against Pittsburgh’s draft trends in recent history. The position will be addressed at some point in the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s just a matter of figuring out when.