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Mock Draft: Steelers Linked to New WR
The Pittsburgh Steelers land a new wide receiver in the latest mock draft.
ORLANDO -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for a replacement for Diontae Johnson, and despite a series of additions at the position, they still don't have a true No. 2 behind George Pickens.
At this point, the trade talk has faded and it appears the NFL Draft is the best shot for them to add to the room. In former general manager Mike Tannenbaum's latest ESPN mock draft, he sees that addition coming with the 20th pick, adding Texas star Adonai Mitchell.
"The Steelers have dramatically overhauled their QB position with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but they also recently traded Diontae Johnson and could use a standout receiver opposite George Pickens. Mitchell had a standout season at Texas after transferring from Georgia, averaging 15.4 yards per catch and scoring 11 TDs. He can fly at 6-2, running a 4.34 at the combine, and I really like this fit," Tannenbaum writes.
This is the first time Mitchell has been named a pick by the Steelers.
The 6-foot-4 receiver out of Texas contributed for three seasons at Texas, catching 93 passes for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns. This past season, he recorded 845 yards and scored 11 times.
Mitchell would come to Pittsburgh with expectations of being a starter right away. Head coach Mike Tomlin said at the NFL Meetings that wideouts coming into the draft are more prepared than most positions, making that transition easier, which should allow Mitchell to step into a pretty big role within the offense.
"years. I just think that receivers and those that cover them come probably a little bit more ready made in today's game than maybe in years past," Tomlin said. "I think it's the evolution of seven-on-seven football for high school kids. I just think their development, the skills relative to their positions come with a higher floor. Much like AAU Basketball probably transformed basketball. I think seven-on-seven has had a significant impact on the passing game and those that participate in it. And I think that's why there's always a lot of wide outs that appear to be game ready, corners that appear to be game ready. They're playing football and working on skills relative to football over the course of a 12-month calendar during significant developmental age groups now."
The addition of Mitchell would fill the hole, and heading into training camp, the team's receiving core would include Pickens, Mitchell, Calvin Austin, Cordarrelle Patterson, Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson.
