Hello Community of Steel! On today’s draft preview we will focus on the position that has dogged us for years that we just can’t seem to get right- the Wide Receivers. There are rumors that the Steelers are trying really hard to trade for (insert premier WR name here), but let’s just accept the fact that no NFL GM wants to trade with Omar Khan anymore. He could make them the best offer in history and they would walk away feeling like I do whenever I buy a new car; dirty, cheap, used, and ripped off. Or maybe that was the time I went to Tijuana in my early 20’s….. Anyway, here we go!
Carnell Tate, 6’2” 192lbs, Ohio State
Strengths
-Good awareness and ball tracking-Nuanced route runner and will work defenders out of position using his eyes and agility
-Not afraid of physicality and will make tough catches in traffic
-Despite average height, wins contested catches frequently
-Strong, natural hands with very few drops; plucks ball out of the air
Weaknesses
-Not a burner as displayed in his 40 time at the combine
-Could stand to put on some lean muscle mass for the next level
-Some blocking effort, but needs work
-Draft position will warrant #1 WR ability. Is he a WR1 at the next level?
Game Videos: vs Michigan, vs Texas
Projection: Tate is in a battle to be the first wideout selected however 40 time will hurt him. He plays faster on tape and overall has a great skillset. Tate is a QB’s best friend with excellent hands, good separation, and the ability to find soft spots in coverage. He’s played across from some excellent wide receivers at Ohio State, and will have to prove he has the ability to be a WR1 in the NFL.
Jordyn Tyson, 6’2” 203lbs, Arizona State
Strengths
-Excellent route runner
-Experience lining up all over the field
-Improved blocking/aggression under Hines Ward’s tutelage
-Great speed out of breaks
Weaknesses
-Medical Red Flags- has not finished a full season in college
-Not a burner
-Has had some issues with drops
Game Videos: vs Texas Tech, vs Baylor
Projection: Will be a first-round pick, possibly the first wideout off the board after electing not to run at the combine. Plays with a chip on his shoulder and not afraid to put a hat on someone in the run game. Has had a lot of injuries and also admittedly did not come out of games when he should have. Definitely a risk vs reward type of player; Tyson could dominate at the next level or be another guy that spends more time in the medical tent than on the field. His talent level will be too good for some team to pass up however.
Makai Lemon, 5’11” 192lbs, USC
Strengths
-Crisp route runner
-Does not lose speed out of breaks
-Great hands and ball tracking
-Excellent kickoff returner
-Good downfield blocker
Weaknesses
-Less than ideal size
-May be limited to slot at the NFL level
-Can be thrown off his game by physical corners
-Interviewed poorly at the combine and really turned some teams off. Diva?
Game Videos: vs Michigan State, vs Iowa
Projection: Talent-wise Lemon should be a first-round lock. Throughout the interview process, however his demeanor apparently did not endear him to several teams. This issue combined with his smaller frame and he may slide some. In the NFL, he may be regulated to the slot and used in quick hit situations. If he is used in a similar manner as Ladd McConkey for example, Lemon will still be very dangerous.
Omar Cooper, Jr., 6’0” 199lbs, Indiana
Strengths
-Plays strong vs. physical corners
-Although used more in the slot has the ability to line up everywhere
-Good YAC ability and breaks arm tackles; great contact balance
-Quick release and acceleration
Weaknesses
-Needs to refine his route tree
-Solid speed but not elite which makes route running crucial for next level success
-Maturity/commitment questions in college
-Needs all around refinement including blocking
Game Videos: vs Oregon, vs Illinois
Projection: Cooper has been quickly rising up draft boards after somewhat taking a back seat to his teammate Elijah Sarratt at Indiana. He is a tough player that will not shy away from contact. His run-after-catch is outstanding; Cooper is shifty with good agility and has the ability to turn short yardage routes into chunk plays. Cooper’s biggest concern is between the ears. He has been publicly called out by his coach for his commitment and whether his heart is really in the game of football. Will he put the work in to refine his route running? Can he be relied upon when the game is on the line? He’ll need a strong coach to bring out the best in him.
KC Concepcion, 6’0” 196lbs, Texas A&M
Strengths
-Excellent short area burst and acceleration
-Uses great footwork and twitch as a weapon against press coverage
-Dangerous in open field
-Outstanding punt returner
-Has acknowledged and put work into improving concentration drops
-Previously has been used out of the backfield as a runner
Weaknesses
-Has had an issue with drops as stated above
-Struggles to make adjustments
-Not a big-bodied receiver and will probably make his name as a #2
-Probably won’t win a lot of contested catches at the NFL level
Game Videos: vs South Carolina, vs LSU
Projection: Concepcion is the kind of player that coordinators find creative ways to get the ball. His explosiveness and lateral agility make him dangerous in traffic. He’s extremely fun to watch, although the drops can be frustrating because he can be so good. Use him in the return game, backfield, slot, wherever and let him create plays. If he truly is committed to improving his focus he could end up being a great player in the mold of a Steve Smith type receiver.
Chris Bell, 6’2” 222lbs, Louisville
Strengths
-Legitimate vertical threat with track speed
-Large-framed receiver built like a truck
-Fearless over the middle and will beat up smaller DBs
-A lot more agile than his large frame would suggest
-Polished comeback and curl routes surprising for his size
Weaknesses
-Coming off a late-season ACL tear
-Questions regarding his route tree; has been used mainly as a vertical threat
-Needs polish in all aspects of his game including run blocking which he should excel at
-Medicals will play a huge role and he will miss entire pre-draft process
Game Videos: vs Miami, vs Virginia
Projection: Chris Bell has the kind of rare build and athleticism you don’t see in a receiver every day. He is built more like a 3-down running back, and at 220-plus pounds his agility is almost unfair. Smaller corners won’t be able to match his physicality, while larger corners will have a tough time with his speed and agility. That is of course totally dependent on Bell being able to return to top form after his injury.
Other WRs to consider: Denzel, Boston, Germie Bernard, Chris Brazzell, Elijah Sarratt. I may even write up a part 2. If there’s time; if there’s time.
