2 weeks Ago
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a receiver problem. That became official when they traded veteran Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. By striking out on San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk, the problem persisted, and third-round receiver Roman Wilson hasn’t given them much of anything.
As such, Pittsburgh’s problem out wide seems likely to become April’s problem, rather than Tuesday, when the NFL trade deadline arrives. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK However, the Steelers have two question marks at receiver – on the boundary and in the slot – and their performance in the second half of the season could dictate plans in the 2025 NFL Draft. In Pro Football Network’s recent mock draft, Pittsburgh elected to draft Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 27th pick.
“The Ohio State offense hasn’t had top-notch quarterback play since Egbuka was a sophomore, and it’s shown in their passing attack’s relative inefficiency,” Dalton Miller wrote. “Although Egbuka has thrived in the slot during his college career, he possesses the frame density and strength to play on the outside at the next level. “However, route running is his calling card, and having a two-way go from the slot makes him a tougher target for defenses to nail down.
In many ways, his game is similar to (Amon-Ra) St. Brown’s in Detroit.” That’s a notable selection because Egbuka, like the St.
Brown comparison, is a slot-bound receiver. But between slot receiver Calvin Austin III and outside receiver Van Jefferson, Austin has far and away been more impactful. Through eight games, Austin has logged 25 targets, 14 receptions, 257 yards, and two scores.
Jefferson has the same amount of catches on four fewer targets but has posted just 139 yards and a touchdown. Related: Injured Reserve Won't Stop Roman Wilson's Momentum Austin has been more explosive, more consistent, and more versatile, but an Egbuka selection likely takes him out of the team’s long-term plans, making him a depth receiver and special teams piece more than a real piece of the offense. From there, the decision comes down to whether the gap between Egbuka and Austin is a worthwhile use of a first-round pick.
The Ohio State product has several years of production and film to make that a valid argument. While his transition outside remains a projection, Egbuka’s natural separation skills and ability to make plays after the catch make him a strong option to see a heavy target share on underneath passes and option routes, complementing George Pickens and making the Steelers’ passing offense significantly less fragile..
