Steelers 2022 NFL Draft preview: Top-3 wide receivers
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be in the market for a new wide receiver and they like addressing this position in the draft.
The 2022 NFL Draft has a nice amount of quality wide receivers entering the event. There will be a ton of quality playmakers that get selected and the top tier of this group have some great skillsets. Many teams will need a receiver or two heading into the draft and this is a good time to pick one.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have a major need at receiver after free agency starts since JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington are about to test the waters. Both will probably be playing for another team in 2022 as the black and gold like to develop and replace receivers in the draft process.
They will need to select at least one player that can be explosive and catch the ball in their job. They will get a chance to pick someone good early on that could help the lack of quarterback quality next season. Pittsburgh could always address this need via free agency but they likely draft a player at this position as well.
Honorable mentions
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Treylon Burks is one of the biggest targets at his positional group coming out in 2022. He has a large frame that causes physical catches at the point of attack. Many like his tape and his ability to high point the football. His large frame allows him to play punishing football after the catch.
During his time at Arkansas, he played a lot of ball as a slot receiver and got plays in the backfield. His ability to be an offensive threat all over the football field will attract many NFL teams. The Steelers will need a slot player in their system and Burks would be a great replacement. He is currently projected as a first or early second-round pick.
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave was expected to be the main target for the Ohio State Buckeyes offense this past season but he was surpassed by another fellow teammate entering the draft. He still had a very good year and that will keep him as one of the best receivers in this class. His ability to separate from the defenders that try covering him is something special due to his speed and technique.
Olave is the best route runner coming out of college that the NFL has seen in years. That trait is so strong that he can easily get away from the defender that is covering him. Sometimes he makes the opposition look silly by his precise route-running ability. This prospect is currently projected to be a late first, or more likely, early to mid-second-round selection.