Rumors swirling around the 2024 NFL Draft suggest that the Steelers have a strong affinity for a particular first-round prospect and are unlikely to allow him to slip past the No. 20 overall pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made significant moves this offseason, acquiring two prominent quarterbacks. Now, they appear to be eyeing a high-profile wide receiver. With the 2024 NFL Draft looming, there’s speculation that the Steelers are particularly keen on LSU standout Brian Thomas Jr. Rumors suggest they may not pass up the opportunity to select him with their No. 20 overall pick in the first round.
According to Dane Brugler, a draft analyst for The Athletic, the Steelers are enamored with Brian Thomas Jr. and view him as a potential first-round steal. Brugler also alluded to the Steelers’ desire to move away from selecting players with character concerns in the later rounds, indicating a preference for landing a talent like Thomas in the initial round.
The term “character faller,” as mentioned by Brugler, likely refers to prospects such as George Pickens, the current Steelers starter, who slipped to the second round in the 2023 draft due in part to apprehensions about his pre-draft interviews. In contrast, Thomas is widely anticipated to be a Day 1 pick, given his standing in a deep pool of receivers that includes top-tier prospects like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze.
Reportedly, the Steelers have been exploring options to bolster their wide receiver corps following the trade of Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, partly due to personality considerations. With Pickens slated to start alongside Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin, Thomas could step into a significant role as a potential No. 1 or No. 2 receiver if drafted by the Steelers.
