NFL Draft analyst believes this player won't make it past the Steelers at pick 20

It's NFL Draft week and the Pittsburgh Steelers will soon be on the clock with their first-round selection. Months of pre-draft preparations have led us to this point, and we have a good idea of which players and positions Omar Khan and the front office could target in Round 1.

With glaring needs at both offensive tackle and center, most believe the Steelers are bound to go the offensive line route with the 20th overall pick, but one NFL Draft analyst suggests that may not be the case.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic said on the Yahoo Fantasy Sports Show that the Pittsburgh Steelers 'love' Brian Thomas Jr. and he thinks that pick 20 is the floor for the dynamic LSU receiver. Here's what Brugler had to say.

"I think one of the wildcards in this is where does Brian Thomas go, from LSU? Is he available at 20? If he's there, he's the type of pass-catcher who I think makes the Steelers think twice.

This might be his floor. If he doesn't go off the board before 20, I do think this might be the floor for him. I've heard they love Brian Thomas. Everyone wants them to take another character faller on Day 2. My impression of the Steelers is that they're... kind of sick of that -- understandably so based on the last few seasons. I think they'd love to just hit a homerun with a guy like Brian Thomas in the first round."

- Dane Brugler, via Yahoo Fantasy Sports

Dane is convinced that the Steelers love Brian Thomas Jr., and he thinks this is the type of player who could have Pittsburgh changing their mind about going with the offensive line in Round 1.

Brugler isn't the only one who thinks that wide receiver could sway the Steelers. Recently, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic told the Fan Morning Show that wide receiver is the team's biggest need heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

Steelers could take Brian Thomas Jr. if he falls to pick 20

Though Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were not on hand to see Brian Thomas Jr. at LSU's Pro Day, assistant GM Andy Weidl was there... and that could be enough for them.

It's not hard to see why Pittsburgh would be interested in Thomas. At nearly 6'3'' and 209 pounds, Thomas has blazing 4.33 speed, natural ball-tracking ability, and can make things happen after the catch (think Martavis Bryant without the off-field issues).

The question becomes: will Thomas be available at pick 20?

Chances are, the talented LSU receiver is off the board by this point, but all it would take is for a few wide receiver-needy teams to look elsewhere with their first-round pick.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a handful of pressing needs, including two holes on the offensive line, but some view Brian Thomas Jr. as a top-12 player in the class. He could be the best player on the board if makes it to pick 20 in the NFL Draft