Steelers express their love for family bloodlines with Luke McCaffrey pre-draft visit

With the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to use up their Top 30 pre-draft visits. So far, Omar Khan and the front office have expressed interest in offensive tackles, interior defensive linemen, and cornerbacks. However, wide receiver is now at the forefront of when it comes to pre-draft visits.

After meeting with receiver prospects like Malachi Corley, Xavier Legette, Rickey Pearsall, and Tahj Washington for pre-draft visits, Aaron Wilson reported that the Steelers are hosting Rice WR Luke McCaffrey for a Top 30 visit.

McCaffrey is the brother of 49ers All-Pro running back, Christian McCaffrey. However, the two players are very different prospects who don't play the same position. Christian was 5'11'' and 202 pounds coming out of Stanford in 2017 and had a first-round grade. Luke is a 6'1 5/8'', 198-pound wide receiver who is considered a Day 3 prospect.

One thing both players do have in common is their fast feet. Luke McCaffrey ran a 4.48 40-yard dash while posting a 6.7 3-cone and 4.02 20-yard shuttle at the 2024 NFL Combine -- rivaling his big brother's numbers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly have a need at wide receiver, and McCaffrey is a prospect who has spent the past two years playing both in the slot and on the outside. He began his college career as a quarterback for Nebraska and he didn't make the switch to receiver until his fourth year (his second at Rice).

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers value football bloodlines

One thing Mike Tomlin has made clear over the years is his love for strong football bloodlines. In the summer of 2022, the Steelers had three sets of brothers on their team all at the same time (T.J. and Derek Watt, Cameron and Connor Heyward, and Terrell and Trey Edmunds).

Last year, Joey Porter Jr. was a player who was high on their pre-draft radar and he wound up being Pittsburgh's 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter obviously is the son of former Pro Bowl Steelers OLB, Joey Porter.

McCaffrey is more than just the brother of an NFL All-Pro. He deserves loads of credit for making the switch from quarterback to wide receiver four years into his college career and still being good enough to earn a Day 3 draft grade. His resilience and ability to adapt to what the team needs will be an intriguing trait.

After earning a Top 30 pre-draft visit with the Steelers, McCaffrey has a chance to continue Tomlin's tradition of valuing football bloodlines. If Omar Khan doesn't take a receiver early or if the team elects to double up on the position in the 2024 NFL Draft, he could be an option on Day 3.