In terms of compensation, the Pittsburgh Steelers got third- and fifth-round picks for wide receiver Antonio Brown. On paper, this might not feel like a great return for a player the caliber of Brown. But the Steelers draft wide receivers better than anyone, so replacing some of Brown’s production shouldn’t be an issue for the Steelers. Here are five wide receivers the Steelers should consider when they make their third-round selection.
Riley Ridley | WR | Georgia
6-foot-1, 199 pounds, 4.58-second 40
Former Georgia wide receiver Riley Ridley doesn’t have the resume of some of the other guys on this list, but his film looks as NFL-ready as any wide receiver in the draft. He’s a physical, competitive possession receiver with strong hands. He’s not going to run away from coverage but does well with contested catches.
Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
6-foot, 205 pounds, 4.31-second 40.
If you want a guy who checks off all the boxes for triangle numbers but is largely unproven as a receiver, Campbell is the guy. He’s a top return man and has the speed to beat any NFL defender. He’s not ready to contribute as a rookie but could be a nice project player.
Andy Isabella | WR | UMass
5-foot-9, 188 pounds, 4.31-second 40
Andy Isabella wasn’t a household name going into the combine but his speed and agility opened plenty of eyes. Then you go to the film and see Isabella hauled in 102 passes his senior year as the only viable weapon UMass had. Of all the guys on this list, Isabella’s game mimics Brown’s game the closest of any and would be a great player to pair up with guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington.
Miles Boykin | WR | Notre Dame
6-foot-4, 220 pounds, 4.40-second 40
If the Steelers want to add a huge target, Notre Dame’s Miles Boykin makes a lot of sense. But make no mistake, he is much more than just a big body. Boykin is a polished route runner and much more agile than his body type might suggest. He’s a little inconsistent with his hands but his NFL traits suggest a little NFL coaching and consistent quarterback play could turn him into a star.
Emanuel Hall | WR | Missouri
6-foot-2, 201 pounds, 4.39-second 40
Wrapping up this list is Missouri’s Emanuel Hall. Hall is a true burner who excels with deep routes where is speed and size combo makes him a matchup problem for most cornerbacks. Hall is once again a prospect who wasn’t able to be highly productive in college due to a number of factors. He needs to polish up his game but in comparison to a guy like James Washington, Hall has every bit the skills he did coming out and far more speed.
