Welcome to our Steelers Draft Profiles. What we’ve done is create lists of top prospects with our take on their abilities based on what we’ve seen of them. Once published, we will continue to update these very articles on a regular basis as new information comes in about the players. In today’s article, we feature Wide Receivers.
Quentin Johnson – JR. – TCU – 6’4″ 210lbs
Big time performer for the Horned Frogs as they reached the National Title Game… Has some serious speed and quickness despite his size… Route running is well above average… A threat on short, intermediate and deep throws… Will need to learn how to keep guys away from his body when covered tightly… Defenders will be surprised how quickly he gets up to speed with his long strides…
Key Combine Stats:
Vertical: 40.5′
Jordan Addison – JR. – USC – 6’0″ 175lbs
The former Pitt star made an immediate impact for the Trojans… Probably the best ‘Run-after-catch’ guy of the group… Creates separation almost instantly off the line… Tremendous route runner… There are probably receivers in the group that are “faster” but this guy has serious ‘quicks’ that will throw would-be tacklers for a loop… There will be questions about his slight stature and his durability after missing time with an ankle injury this past season… He seems destined for the slot at the Pro level but I think he can play anywhere… Drops have been an issue during his college career.
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.49
Ronnie Bell – SR. – Michigan – 6’0″ 192lbs
Multi-sport athlete who excelled on the basketball court to the point where he had college offers there as well… Smart player who sets up DBs with quality route running… I wouldn’t call him a true ‘deep threat’… His basketball background has given him some quality jumping ability but he struggles to come down with contested catches… Seems to be at his best when used in a variety of motions… Has very solid skills as a return man… Classic #3 receiver in my book.
Zay Flowers – SR. – Boston College – 5’10” 172lbs
Flowers is a true ‘lover of the game of football’… Super exciting playing in the open field… Despite small size, he goes up and gets the ball… Right up there with Addison in terms of RAC ability… Size is definitely a concern; probably limits him to slot receiver duties… Has to improve as a blocker in order to stay on the field… “Good” hands but has those occasional drops that leave you scratching your head…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.42
Puka Nacua – JR. – BYU – 6’1″ 205lbs
Started his career at Washington but left after two seasons of modest play-time… Very physical receiver who excels at blocker and fighting his tail off for contested catches… Fierce competitor… Biggest area of concern is route running; he’ll need serious improvements there… Brother plays safety for the NY Jets… Can he get off press coverage in time to get into his routes… Rushed for over 300 yards this past season… First year contributor in my mind… Likely a Special Teams’ Ace as well.
Josh Downs – JR. – North Carolina – 5’10” 170lbs
Ridiculous athlete who excelled in track and field and was recorded with a vertical jump over 40″… Classic slot receiver who runs great routes and uses a variety of moves off the line… A three-level guy who forces defenses to honor him… Hands are an issue; to many drops for my book… Run after catch ability is wicked and it will entice teams into drafting him… Wins way more contested catches than you’d think for his size… Limited to slot only…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.48
Broad Jump: 10’11”
Cedric Tillman – SR. – Tennessee – 6’3″ 215lbs
Ideal body size for today’s receiving position… Will win more than lose on contested catches… Will need work on route running and his route knowledge overall… Good hands… Blends the size and speed well together… DBs get caught off guard by his speed off the line… Had some ankle issues in 2022 which limited his numbers… Probably fits exclusively as a #2 receiver…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.54
10-yard Split: 1.53
Jayden Reed – SR. – Michigan State – 6’0″ 185lbs
A ‘do-everything’ player at MSU that included work at each receiving position and on special teams… ‘Football fast’ guy who runs extremely well after the catch… Will have some technique issues to iron out… A ‘hands’ catcher but needs to extend those arms more often… Probably quicker than he is fast which I think helps his slot receiving skills… His versatility makes me believe he’s a high I.Q. type of players… I have a feeling this guy could be a steal for someone.
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.45
Shuttle: 4.29
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – JR. – Ohio State – 6’0″ 195lbs
Spent most of 2022 on the sidelines with injuries which is likely to hurt his draft stock a bit… Smart receiver who runs terrific routes… Technically he’s very sound…. Really good hands… Not a burner but he’s a good ‘run after catch’ guy regardless… OSU moved him all over the formation and he never seemed to skip a beat… That said, most of his releases were from the slot so I’m a tad concerned about what he’ll do against press out wide… He’s a QB’s dream when under pressure as he continues to work and get open…
Key Combine Stats:
Vertical: 35″
3-Cone Drill: 6.57
Shuttle: 3.93
Jonathan Mingo – SR. – Ole Miss – 6’2″ 225lbs
Vast experience with over 40 games played under his built… Solid build from his upper to his lower body and uses it to his advantage… Nightmare for opposing DBs to tackle due to strength and overall aggressive style… Has to work on his route running… Excels in situations where he gets the ball quickly (screens, jets, etc)… Needs to extend his arms more and keep the ball away from his body… Lack of big-time speed keeps DBs on him…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.46
Vertical: 39.5″
Charlie Jones – SR. – Purdue – 6’0″ 190lbs
Spent time at Buffalo, then Iowa before really catching on at Purdue… Another guy who would benefit from a quick passing game/get the ball in his hands type of offense… Very competitive kid who gets the most out of every, single rep… Certain to be a major contributor on Special Teams… Run after Catch guy who will give zone defenses fits because he knows exactly where to settle in… Will need to work on hand usage in order to get off tighter man coverage…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.43
Bench (225lbs): 13 reps
Kayshon Boutte – JR. – LSU – 6’0″ 187lbs
Natural athlete with impressive speed… Immediate deep threat… Has to be better in contested catch situations… Scary run after catch skills… Needs to improve his underneath routes as DBs often play off of him… Tendency to drop the ball as he looks to run too quickly… Can line up just about anywhere across the formation… LSU came up with creative ways to use him and get him the ball/NFL teams will need to do the same…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.50
Shuttle: 4.25
Tyler Scott – JR. – Cincinnati – 5’11” 180lbs
Big-time speed/Separates from DBs with ease… Was good with Desmond Ridder at QB and had even better numbers in 2022… Despite his size he played predominantly on the outside… Constant deep threat gives him opportunities on shorter routes… Wins more contested balls than you might think… His size is a concern/Can he be a number two WR? Can he transition to the slot?.. Blocking is questionable despite solid effort…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.44
Broad Jump: 11.1′
Vertical: 39.5″
Jalin Hyatt – JR. – Tennessee – 6’0″ 175lbs
One of the stars of Tennessee’s emergence in 2022… Fred Biletnikoff winner… Immediate deep threat who has learned how to sue that to his advantage on shorter routes… Speed allows him to get past DBs quickly… Typical concerns about his transition from spread offense to more conventional… Rarely used in the slot… Slight build will entice DBs to be aggressive with him… Above average ball skills… Will need to evolve his catalog of routes…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.40
Vertical: 40″
Broad Jump: 11.3′
Marvin Mims – JR. – Oklahoma – 5’11” 175lbs
More than 20 yards per catch in 2022… Not a conventional pass catcher/ball gets into his body a lot… Rarely drops the ball however… Gives maximum effort on blocking despite being outweighed… Another guy who will likely need to transition to the slot… Will need to add to his route tree… A true YAC threat every time he gets it… Has punt return experience…
Key Combine Stats:
40-yard Dash: 4.38
Vertical: 39.5″
Others to Watch… Xavier Hutchinson – Iowa State, Nathaniel Dell – Houston, Trey Palmer – Nebraska, Rakim Jarrett – Maryland, Grant DuBose – Charlotte
